Armenian organizations demand justice for Vardanyan, others

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and several other organizations have signed a joint appeal urging an end to the political persecution of Ruben Vardanyan.

The organizations call on the international community to take a decisive stance against Aliyev's regime in defense of justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.

The appeal emphasizes the urgent implementation of the following demands:

• Justice for all Armenian political prisoners and POWs unlawfully held in Baku.
• Immediate and thorough investigation into Vardanyan’s mistreatment and violations of his right to a fair trial.
• Transparency and accountability in legal proceedings, ensuring access for international observers and legal representatives.
• Immediate actions to halt Azerbaijan’s political persecution of Armenian citizens.

The statement reminds that Vardanyan has been in Azerbaijani captivity for nearly 18 months and recently began a hunger strike to underscore the need for international intervention. During a brief phone call with his family from a Baku prison on February 19, 2025, he reported judicial violations, mistreatment in detention, coercion to sign falsified case materials, and denial of his right to prepare a defense.

The organizations note that Vardanyan’s previous appeals to international bodies and media have gone unanswered, further worsening the situation.

"His current hunger strike is not just a protest but a grave warning—continued silence and inaction will only worsen the plight of illegally detained Armenian POWs and civilians in Azerbaijan," the statement warns.

The appeal is signed by AGBU, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, the Afeyan and Arbane pan-Armenian programs, the Aznavour Foundation, the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, the Tufenkian Foundation, Orran, Teach for Armenia, the Armenian Legal Defense Front, and We Are Our Mountains.

Ruben Vardanyan has been on hunger strike for a week. His health deteriorated sharply during the last court session.

His international lawyer, Jared Genser, stated that Vardanyan’s condition is seriously at risk and called on world leaders and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to "condemn this sham trial as political and illegal."

Vardanyan’s son, David Vardanyan, has urged action against the show trials in Baku, targeting not only his father but also other Armenian detainees.