Free Armenian Prisoners

On 16 September, Ruben Vardanyan recorded a public appeal to Azerbaijan’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Sabina Aliyeva, raising a number of concerns regarding the rights of the Armenian detainees held at the Umbaki penitentiary complex. Referring to Azerbaijan’s own legislation and information on prisoners’ rights provided by the Commissioner’s office, Vardanyan addresses restrictions on telephone and video calls, access to medical care, notarial services and physical exercise, as well as the lack of written responses to applications and complaints. He also highlights the detainees’ increased isolation following the closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Azerbaijan and recalls Veronika Zonabend’s humanitarian initiative to travel to Baku and deliver more than a thousand letters, parcels and essential items to the Armenian detainees. Vardanyan asks the Commissioner to meet with the detainees and respond to the issues raised in his appeal. “However long we still spend in Umbaki, please comply with your own laws.” We are publishing the English translation of the full transcript, as well as the full audio recording of the appeal with subtitles in English and Armenian. freearmenianprisoners.com/ru…

Veronika Zonabend: The Humanitarian Mission to Baku Remains Ready In a new statement, Veronika Zonabend outlines ongoing efforts to organize an international women’s humanitarian visit to Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan, the obstacles preventing it, and the unanswered appeals to authorities. Despite these challenges, the mission remains ready to proceed once access and security arrangements are agreed. Read the full statement here: freearmenianprisoners.com/st…

Nice Stands with Armenian Prisoners Held in Azerbaijan The faces of 20 Armenian prisoners are now displayed at Nice City Hall – a reminder that they must not be forgotten. Éric Ciotti has called for their immediate and unconditional release and proposed granting them honorary citizenship of Nice. “Nice will remain mobilized until their release.” Read more here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ni…

On October 30, 2026, the Armenian National Committee – International announced the publication of a new dossier, “Armenian Hostages in Azerbaijan: Prisoners of War, Civilians and Political Prisoners,” documenting the situation of 20 Armenians still held in Azerbaijan. The dossier examines their trials, detention conditions, lack of independent humanitarian access, and ongoing international legal proceedings. It also outlines the Committee’s demands for their immediate and unconditional release. The key findings and recommendations are summarized in the cards below. Read the full dossier here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ar…

In an interview with Medialab, international law expert Siranush Sahakyan, who represents the interests of Armenian prisoners of war before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), criticized Armenia’s failure to secure third-country assistance for Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. Sahakyan questioned the effectiveness of Armenia’s diplomatic efforts, called for greater transparency regarding the reported refusals by third countries, and stressed the need for state involvement in delivering letters to Armenian prisoners in Baku. The key points from the interview are summarized in the cards below. The full interview in English is available here: freearmenianprisoners.com/fa…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 15 Traveling to Artsakh Deemed a Crime Against the Order of Governance Article 318.2 – Illegal Border Crossing A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan has criticized missed diplomatic opportunities to raise the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. In an interview with NEWS.am, she discussed the absence of the prisoners’ issue from official statements during COP17, unsuccessful efforts to secure third-country assistance, and unanswered requests concerning humanitarian access to detainees in Baku. Sahakyan stressed that “there must be no delay in humanitarian matters” and called for coordinated efforts to protect prisoners’ rights and secure their release. Read the interview here: news.am/en/news/1069766

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 14 Ruben Vardanyan’s Acceptance of the Position of Minister of State Deemed a “Usurpation of Power” Articles 278.1 and 279.3 – Crimes Against State Power A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has stated that the continued detention of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan does not contribute to peace. Speaking to journalists, Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia’s efforts to secure their release have never stopped, but acknowledged that attempts to resolve the issue through third countries have not produced results. Read more here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ar…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 13 Ruben Vardanyan Accused of Jamming a Singapore–Helsinki Flight Articles 270-1.2 and 270-1.4 – Aviation Safety A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

MEP Miriam Lexmann has criticized the European Union for overlooking human rights violations in Azerbaijan in pursuit of economic interests. In an interview with Factor TV, the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Armenia called for greater pressure on Baku, including efforts to secure the release of Armenian prisoners. She also urged the European Commission to place human rights at the center of EU–Azerbaijan relations. Read more here: freearmenianprisoners.com/me…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 12 Ruben Vardanyan’s Tenure as State Minister Was Itself Considered a Crime Articles 218.1 and 218.2 — Organized Crime A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

On October 16, 2026, an international conference in Yerevan brought together legal experts, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives to discuss the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan and the consequences of captivity. Siranush Sahakyan highlighted reports of systematic torture and the lack of independent monitoring, while Yeghishe Kirakosyan emphasized the illegality of the trials in Baku and the importance of continued international legal action. Read the statement here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ar…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 11 Ruben Vardanyan’s Political Stance Framed as a Call to Terrorism Articles 214.2.1/.3/.4, 214.1 and 214.2 – Terrorism and Financing of Terrorism A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 10 Aurora, Troika Dialog, and Ameriabank Labeled as “Illegal Entrepreneurship” in Azerbaijan Article 192.3.1 – Illegal Entrepreneurship A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

HayPost and DHL have confirmed that letters and parcels cannot currently be sent from Armenia to Azerbaijan, according to Sputnik Armenia. The confirmation follows Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s suggestion that 1,254 letters collected for Armenian prisoners held in Baku should be sent directly through postal services rather than handed over to the Armenian government. The letters, collected through an initiative launched by Veronika Zonabend, were handed over to the Armenian government on October 1 by Artak Beglaryan. Read more here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ha…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 9 Ruben Vardanyan Accused of Murder and Attempted Murder Articles 120.2.x and 29 + 120.2.x – Murder and Attempted Murder A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 8 Ruben Vardanyan Accused of Mining 1,166,702 Hectares of Territory Articles 115.2 and 116 – War Crimes A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 7 Baku Court Treats Aurora Prize Money as Mercenary Payment Article 114.1 — Mercenarism (recruitment, training, financing, or use of mercenaries) A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…

"JUSTICE" ACCORDING TO AZERBAIJAN – ISSUE 6 Ruben Vardanyan Found “Guilty” of Torturing 414 Prisoners of War and 1,284 Civilian Hostages Article 113 – Torture A new installment in Pastinfo’s legal analysis of the indictment and verdict in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, with international law expert Taron Simonyan. Read the full issue here: freearmenianprisoners.com/ju…