ICRC visits Armenian prisoners in Baku

By Alexander Pracht

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives have recently visited the Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan, Zara Amatuni, Communications and Prevention Manager at the ICRC Armenian office, told CivilNet Wednesday.

"All detainees were provided an opportunity to contact their relatives during these visits," Amatuni said.

When CivilNet inquired about Ruben Vardanyan's health condition, considering he has been on hunger strike for a week, Amatuni noted that such matters are part of confidential dialogue and are discussed directly with representatives of the detained individuals.

Vardanyan began a hunger strike last Wednesday, protesting what he calls a "judicial farce" against him. As a result of the hunger strike, his condition reportedly deteriorated during yesterday's court session in Baku, as reported by Azerbaijani media. He also refused to answer questions posed to him during the proceedings, including those about his brief political career in Artsakh, his business connections, and his links to former Armenian presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

Earlier Monday, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljarić Egger in Geneva and discussed the ongoing trials in Baku, expressing concern about the health of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, as well as possible pressure being exerted on them.

Last month, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that intelligence reports suggest Azerbaijan is using prohibited psychoactive substances “in order to extort narratives and testimonies aimed at inciting regional escalation.” 

Azerbaijan has confirmed holding 23 Armenian prisoners, although the Armenian side has said Baku is holding 32 more people in custody.

Following a nine-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and the ethnic cleansing of the region's entire Armenian population in September 2023, Azerbaijan captured multiple Artsakh leaders including three of its former presidents. They face numerous fabricated charges, including financing terrorism, that could result in life imprisonment.