On October 2, 2024, Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian political prisoner detained in Azerbaijan for over a year, initiated four major legal actions through his lawyers, accusing the Azerbaijani government of multiple violations of his human and civil rights. These legal actions come just weeks before world leaders are set to gather in Baku for COP29, the UN’s annual climate summit.
The accusations include:
Defamation: Vardanyan’s lawsuit charges the Azerbaijani state-run newspaper, ВакинÑкий Рабочий (Baku Worker), with publishing false statements that damage his honor, dignity, and business reputation.
Torture and Inhumane Treatment: Vardanyan’s legal team has detailed how he was subjected to torture during a hunger strike in April 2024, including being forced to stand for extended periods, denied basic hygiene, and deprived of water, leading to severe exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
Violation of the Right to a Speedy Trial: Vardanyan has been detained for over a year without any indication of when his case will be heard in court, suggesting the government intends to prolong his pretrial detention indefinitely.
Denial of Access to Legal Representation: Vardanyan has repeatedly been denied the ability to issue a notarized power of attorney, necessary to file a civil lawsuit, thus obstructing his access to justice.
Below is a detailed summary of the legal cases filed:
Defamation Case Against State-Run Media
Vardanyan’s team filed a lawsuit against the Azerbaijani state-run newspaper, ВакинÑкий Рабочий (Baku Worker), accusing it of publishing defamatory statements intended to damage his reputation. The newspaper falsely accused him of various crimes, tarnishing his honor and business standing.
“After consulting with our client, we fully agree with President Aliyev’s July 2024 statement that media representatives bear a special responsibility for their messaging and influence,” said Jared Genser, Vardanyan’s international counsel. “This responsibility applies to all media, including state-controlled outlets like those in Azerbaijan.”
With the media sector in Azerbaijan heavily controlled by the government, Reporters Without Borders has stated that “virtually the entire media sector is under official control,” with no independent television or radio operating within the country. The Baku Worker remains the only newspaper distributed in the pre-trial detention facility where Vardanyan is held.
Torture and Inhumane Treatment
In a second legal filing, Vardanyan’s team presented evidence of torture and degrading treatment during his imprisonment. After conducting a hunger strike in April 2024 to protest his politically motivated detention, Vardanyan was moved to a punishment cell where he endured brutal conditions. He was forced to stand for prolonged periods, denied access to hygiene, and deprived of drinking water for two days, leading to severe exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
These actions, violating both Azerbaijani constitutional law and international human rights standards, were carried out in retaliation for Vardanyan’s protest.
Violation of Right to a Speedy Trial
A third legal case highlights Azerbaijan’s failure to uphold Vardanyan’s right to a timely trial. Despite being held in detention for over a year, there has been no indication of when his case will be heard in court. The delays suggest that Azerbaijani authorities intend to keep Vardanyan in indefinite pre-trial detention, in clear violation of both Azerbaijani law and international legal standards.
Denial of Access to Legal Representation
In a fourth action, Vardanyan’s legal team emphasized how his right to access the civil court system has been obstructed. The investigators handling his case have repeatedly denied Vardanyan the ability to issue a notarized power of attorney, which is necessary for him to file a defamation lawsuit in civil court, thus further violating his rights.
The legal filings underscore mounting concerns about Azerbaijan’s human rights record, which has drawn increased scrutiny ahead of the COP29 summit. As the world’s attention turns to Baku for the upcoming climate talks, the Azerbaijani government is facing global criticism for its continued repression of political prisoners.
“Those traveling to Baku for COP29 should be aware of Azerbaijan’s worsening human rights abuses,” added Genser. “Azerbaijan cannot claim this will be a ‘COP of Peace’ while detaining Ruben and hundreds of other political prisoners. For the country to have any credibility, these prisoners must be released before the summit.”
Vardanyan, who was detained in September 2023 while attempting to cross into Armenia with 120,000 other displaced Armenians, briefly served as Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh) State Minister. His arrest has since been classified by human rights organizations as part of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing campaign in the region.
Both Freedom House and the U.S. State Department have documented Azerbaijan’s repressive political system, detailing extensive human rights abuses, including the imprisonment of political critics and the manipulation of the judicial system.
