The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has strongly condemned what it described as the unjust verdict handed down to its co-founder Ruben Vardanyan, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

“We call for Ruben’s immediate release and appeal to the international community to uphold the principles of justice, human rights and fair trial. The charges brought against Ruben, related to his humanitarian activities in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), disregard fundamental human rights, which is deeply concerning,” the statement said.

It noted that Vardanyan’s work, particularly during this period of escalating conflicts, reflects the values on which Aurora was founded — compassion, courage and an unwavering commitment to humanity.

“His sentence sends a troubling message to those who dedicate their lives to humanitarian service, especially at a time when the region faces serious challenges, resulting in tens of thousands of displaced people and urgent humanitarian needs. We remain committed to supporting Ruben’s family, advocating for his freedom and defending the rights of all those unjustly deprived of their liberty,” the statement added.

Vardanyan’s case was examined in separate proceedings. Amnesty International described the verdict as a mockery of justice. Jared Genser called on U.S. President Donald Trump to fulfill his public pledge to help secure the release of Armenian detainees.