Baku blocks independent observers from Armenian trials

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan has barred international independent observers, experts, and diplomatic representatives from attending the trials of Armenians currently taking place in Baku.

According to Siranush Sahakyan, head of the International and Comparative Law Center and an expert in international law, even those who attempted to attend were subjected to harassment and surveillance, RFE/RL reports.

Separate from the trials of former presidents and other officials of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan is also being tried at Baku’s military court.

“They were interrogated, followed throughout their movements, and intimidated using various coercive methods. This is not simply about access restrictions—it involves persecution-like actions against those wishing to attend trials declared open to the public,” Sahakyan said.

The international law specialist, who focuses on detainee issues, did not specify which individuals or organizational representatives were denied access or subjected to harassment in Baku. She said she is currently withholding names to avoid exposing them to further targeting. However, she did not rule out making this information public in the future.

“There, individuals cannot attend based on personal will. Attendance is pre-listed, names are approved by Azerbaijani authorities, and all information is controlled by the state. Independent third parties are effectively denied access to the trials,” she explained.

The trials of former Artsakh military-political leaders and other Armenians, which began earlier this year, are being held behind closed doors without independent lawyers or media presence.

Sahakyan added that Baku attempts to simulate legitimacy by presenting manipulated, fictitious trials as real proceedings.

“There’s a major time lag—for example, trial sessions are not reported in real time. Instead, materials are edited for one or two days and only then released with state approval. In the cases of both Ruben Vardanyan and Babayan, we received direct messages via their families that their statements were distorted and misrepresented to the public during these trials. In my assessment, this is part of Azerbaijan’s policy of falsification,” she stated.

Dozens of charges have been brought by Azerbaijan against former Artsakh leaders. Ruben Vardanyan, for example—who served as Artsakh’s State Minister for only three and a half months and had no oversight of military operations—is charged with over 40 counts ranging from terrorism and organizing war to mass killings. He faces a possible life sentence in Baku.

Recently, Vardanyan’s son appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump, requesting help to release his father and 22 other Armenian detainees imprisoned in Baku for over a year and a half.

Despite changes in U.S. foreign policy, Sahakyan believes Washington might still be able to influence Baku on the issue of detainee release.

In recent sessions, Baku’s military court has addressed what the Azerbaijani side terms the “occupation” of Shushi and Martuni. During court proceedings, names of former leaders from Artsakh and Armenia are repeatedly mentioned. Witnesses brought forward have accused Armenians of killings, acts against civilians, and displacement of populations. However, no clear evidence has been disclosed, as the trials are covered solely by the state-controlled news outlet “Azertaj,” which releases only partial information on the day of the sessions and video material the following day. Independent verification of these claims is not possible.