Azerbaijan Denies Ruben Vardanyan's Claims of Prison Rights Violations

The Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan has denied allegations of human rights violations against ethnic Armenian prisoners, including Ruben Vardanyan and Araik Harutyunyan. The office stated that the detainees, who were convicted of terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against peace and humanity, are held in conditions meeting international standards without discrimination.

The denial follows a September 16 public appeal from Vardanyan, a former Artsakh State Minister serving a 20-year sentence. Detained at the Umbaki penitentiary complex along with 18 other Armenian citizens, Vardanyan urged Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva to ensure the state complies with its own laws. He alleged that prisoners are denied weekly telephone and video calls, restricted from physical exercise, and blocked from medical tests and notarial services.

Vardanyan further claimed that the suspension of International Committee of the Red Cross activities in Azerbaijan severed vital communication and parcel delivery. He noted that requests from his wife, Veronika Zonabend, to deliver approximately 1,000 letters and essential items to the prisoners have remained unanswered.

In response, the Ombudsman Office characterized these claims as groundless and politically motivated. The agency asserted that the National Preventive Mechanism continuously monitors the prisoners and provides medical exams and legal access, specifically noting that a recent notarial request by Araik Harutyunyan was fulfilled.