International lawyer demands urgent medical care for Vardanyan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Jared Genser, the international lawyer representing former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, has stated that despite Vardanyan’s significantly deteriorating health after a week-long hunger strike, Azerbaijan continues to force him to participate in court proceedings. The lawyer’s statement was published on Vardanyan’s Facebook page.

Vardanyan began a hunger strike a week ago in protest against what he describes as a politically motivated show trial against him and other Armenian political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

His trial started on January 17, following nearly 500 days of arbitrary detention. According to his lawyer, Vardanyan faces life imprisonment on politically motivated charges, while his legal rights have been systematically violated.

Despite Vardanyan’s worsening condition and repeated requests to postpone the hearing, the trial has continued. His blood pressure has reportedly reached dangerously high levels, necessitating medical intervention. Over the past week, he has lost six kilograms, appeared visibly weak, and has nearly fainted multiple times.

"Despite his severe health issues, he was still forced to stand before the military court in Baku and participate in a closed-door hearing. Given Ruben’s condition, the defense team initially requested a postponement, prompting the court to call for a medical examination by a state-appointed doctor. However, the doctor presented his observations privately to the court rather than officially during the hearing, raising serious doubts about the credibility of the findings. The judges denied the request for postponement not only once but four additional times, arguing that since Ruben was seated, it was safe for him to proceed with the trial."

According to the 27th rule of the Nelson Mandela Rules, "detention facilities must ensure immediate access to medical assistance in urgent cases." Forcing Vardanyan to participate in this trial under such conditions constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, the statement said.

Genser has called on international organizations to intervene and ensure that Vardanyan receives proper medical supervision. He stressed that Azerbaijani authorities must allow independent doctors to visit Vardanyan and postpone the trial until the hunger strike is over.

"I also urge world leaders, especially Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, to condemn this show trial as political and unlawful," Genser added.