January 17, 2025 - 11:42 AMT
Ruben Vardanyan: no statements made, signed documents are fake

Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh, who faces trial in Baku on January 17, has disclosed information about his imprisonment conditions and violations of his rights. A message shared on his Facebook page in Armenian, Russian, and English was relayed through a phone conversation with his family.

He emphasized that he has provided no testimony, and all documents bearing his signature are falsified.

“I officially declare: Since the day of my detention, I have not provided any testimony except during the initial interrogation, where I only stated my name and surname. Once again, I stress: All records with my signature are fake. These documents do not exist in reality. My lawyer and interpreter were forced to sign these documents,” Vardanyan stated, asserting his innocence and calling the case politically motivated.

Held in Azerbaijan’s State Security Service detention facility, Vardanyan highlighted that 340 out of his 470 days in detention have been spent in solitary confinement, with 23 days in punitive isolation. He reported being informed that some of the 42 charges against him carry a life sentence.

“To date, I have not been allowed access to the official indictment. My lawyer and I were only given a brief opportunity to review the 422-volume criminal case in Azerbaijani—a language I do not understand—from December 9, 2024, to January 8, 2025. A list of the charges in Russian was provided to me only on January 8, 2025,” he noted.

Vardanyan also stated that he, his lawyer, and his interpreter faced pressure to retroactively sign documents, including falsified interrogation records.

The former official issued several demands, including full access to case materials in Russian, annulment of falsified documents, and an open trial with the presence of international media and human rights organizations. He also requested that his case be merged with those of other defendants.

“I feel neither malice nor hatred. On the contrary, I genuinely pity those who violate laws, moral principles, and the teachings of the Quran. True peace will only be possible when the leaders of the countries involved in the conflict, with their societies' approval, can jointly lay flowers at the graves of all fallen in this war,” the message reads.

He concluded by stating, “Know that I remain strong, resilient, and believe that truth will prevail.”

Currently, 23 Armenians are held in Azerbaijani prisons, including 16 individuals captured during the military offensive on September 19, 2023. Among the detainees are eight high-ranking Artsakh officials, including former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and other officials. Baku has leveled serious charges against them, including terrorism and organizing illegal armed groups.