Armenian Political Prisoner, Ruben Vardanyan, Granted Permission to Speak With Family Who Plea for End to His Hunger Strike

estimated that the country held approximately 254 political prisoners and detainees as of December 2023. The judiciary was also described as largely corrupt, inefficient, and lacking independence. According to the report, defendants in Azerbaijan were often "denied the right to a presumption of innocence; a fair, timely, and public trial; to communicate with an attorney of their choice; to have adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense; to confront witnesses and present one's own witnesses and evidence; and not be compelled to testify or confess guilt."

Mr. Vardanyan is one of eight former officials arrested last September when armed forces of the Azerbaijani government invaded the Nagorno-Karabakh region, triggering the mass exodus of the 120,000 inhabitants. Now more than 200 days later, the eight Armenian leaders face a series of politically motivated charges.

Mr. Vardanyan is a well-known Armenian philanthropist and businessman, a father of four and a loving husband who has been illegally detained for over 200 days.

He is now charged with false accusations and held in poor conditions. His trial is not expected to adhere to international standards, including those that ensure international observers are granted access to the proceedings. Mr. Vardanyan's case is also separated from the other seven political prisoners, prompting questions about whether he is being politically singled out. 

For additional information, visit www.freearmenianprisoners.com

CONTACT:

Jere Sullivan, Edelman Global Advisory
Jere.sullivan@edelmanega.com
+1 (202) 425-9056

Free Armenian Prisoners
contact@freearmenianprisoners.com
www.FreeArmenianPrisoners.com
#FreeArmenianPrisoners @RubenVardanyan

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