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, regarding the treatment of Armenian detainees. Vardanyan, who is currently held at the Umbaki penitentiary complex alongside 18 other Armenian citizens, alleges multiple violations of Azerbaijani law and international standards.

Key grievances cited include the denial of weekly telephone and video calls, which has prevented some detainees from seeing their families for nearly three years. Vardanyan also reported that prisoners are unable to access medical examinations or undergo tests even at their own expense, and that notarial services are being refused, making it impossible to issue powers of attorney to relatives.

Furthermore, Vardanyan noted that physical exercise is restricted to 20–40 minutes once a week, significantly less than the prescribed one hour per day. He also highlighted that the cessation of International Committee of the Red Cross activities has severed vital communication channels, leaving many prisoners without the ability to receive parcels or purchase food. Veronika Zonabend has expressed readiness to travel to Baku to meet with the Commissioner and the detainees to deliver essential items and letters.

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.

[● 5 SOURCES] Detainees are unable to access medical examinations or undergo tests even at their own expense. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am
[● 5 SOURCES] Notarial services have been refused, preventing detainees from issuing powers of attorney. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am
[● 5 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
[● 5 SOURCES] Ruben Vardanyan issued a public appeal to Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner, Sabina Aliyeva. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am
[● 5 SOURCES] Prisoners face a lack of weekly telephone calls and video calls. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am
[● 5 SOURCES] The termination of International Committee of the Red Cross activities has reduced communication with families. livenews.am · factor.am · horizonweekly.ca · mediamax.am
[● 5 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
[● 5 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