Azerbaijan ombudsperson reviews conditions of detained Armenian individuals, finds no violations PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) recently visited a group of Armenians held in the detention facility of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.

According to the Ombudsperson’s press service, she personally met with and listened to Ruben Vardanyan, Araik Harutyunyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Babayan, and several others, per Caliber.Az.

During these confidential conversations, their requests were heard, and the conditions related to their rights were assessed.

Vardanyan, Sahakyan, and others receiving medical treatment expressed their gratitude to the Ombudsperson and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their visit. They noted the humane treatment they had received, mentioning the absence of discrimination or any violations of their rights. They also highlighted the satisfactory conditions of their detention and the medical care they were receiving.

The Ombudsperson examined the detainees' living conditions, food, and other factors, and it was confirmed that their rights were being protected. They were provided with legal assistance, necessary information, and medical care. Brochures containing details on how to contact the Ombudsman in case of further need were distributed to them.

To recap, Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Araik Harutyunyan, who served as "presidents" of the separatist regime in Karabakh, former "foreign minister" David Babayan, "parliament speaker" Davit Ishkhanyan, and generals David Manukyan and others were detained by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service on October 3, 2023.

In total, 14 individuals linked to the separatist regime were detained as part of a criminal case led by a joint investigation team. The team was comprised of experts from Azerbaijan's General Prosecutor's Office, Military Prosecutor's Office, State Security Service, State Border Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other investigative bodies.

Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian businessman who financially and politically supported the separatist movement, was the first to be detained by Azerbaijan’s border service on September 27, 2023. During the 44-day Armenia-Azerbaijan war in 2020, Vardanyan was present in the Karabakh region, where he publicly discussed his financial backing of the separatist regime. In September 2022, he moved illegally to Karabakh after renouncing his Russian citizenship.

The detained individuals face multiple charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including Articles 214.2.1, 214.2.2, and 214.2.3 (terrorism involving firearms, explosives, and devices by an organized group), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 214-3.2 (organizing training for terrorism), 228.3 (illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and related devices by an organized group), and 279.3 (creating armed units not authorized by law and participating in their activities).

The trial for the detained individuals is ongoing in Baku.

By Tamilla Hasanova