Ruben Vardanyan appeals to Azerbaijan over Armenian prisoner rights

Ruben Vardanyan human rights violations Armenian prisoners Azerbaijan prison conditions Umbaki penitentiary

Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of Artsakh, has issued a public appeal to Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner, Sabina Aliyeva, alleging systemic violations of the rights of Armenian prisoners held at the Umbaki penitentiary complex. Vardanyan, who is detained alongside 18 other Armenian citizens, asserts that these conditions contravene Azerbaijan’s own legal framework, specifically its Code on the Execution of Sentences.

Key allegations include the denial of weekly telephone and video calls, which has prevented some detainees from seeing their children for nearly three years. Vardanyan also reported that prisoners are unable to access medical examinations or undergo necessary tests, even when offering to cover the costs themselves. Furthermore, he noted that notarial services have been refused, preventing detainees from issuing powers of attorney to their families.

Other reported issues involve restricted physical exercise, limited to 20–40 minutes once a week instead of the legally prescribed hour daily, and a lack of written responses to formal applications and complaints. Vardanyan highlighted that the cessation of International Committee of the Red Cross activities in Azerbaijan has further isolated prisoners, cutting off vital communication channels and the receipt of parcels. In response to the situation, Veronika Zonabend has offered to travel to Baku to meet with the Commissioner and the detainees to facilitate communication and deliver essential items.

Entities

Avet Konjoyan · Azerbaijan · Civil Contract · Civil Contract Party · Hayk Sargsyan · International Committee of the Red Cross · Ruben Vardanyan · Sabina Aliyeva · Tatul Hakobyan · Umbachi Correctional Complex · Umbaki penitentiary complex · Veronika Zonabend

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Detainees are unable to access medical examinations or undergo tests even at their own expense. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Notarial services have been refused, preventing detainees from issuing powers of attorney. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Veronika Zonabend has offered to travel to Baku to meet with the Commissioner and the detainees. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Ruben Vardanyan issued a public appeal to Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner, Sabina Aliyeva. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Prisoners face a lack of weekly telephone calls and video calls. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The termination of International Committee of the Red Cross activities has reduced communication with families. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Physical exercise is restricted to 20–40 minutes once a week instead of the prescribed one hour daily. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Ruben Vardanyan is being held at the Umbaki penitentiary complex along with 18 other Armenian citizens. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am · www.thearmenianreport.com