A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison following a trial on multiple fabricated charges.
The verdict was announced Tuesday during an open session of the Baku Military Court. According to Azerbaijani state media, Vardanyan was found guilty under several provisions of the country’s Criminal Code, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other related offenses.
The case was heard by a panel of judges. During the proceedings, Vardanyan was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and a state-appointed defense attorney. Hearings were attended by the defendant, his legal team, state prosecutors, alleged victims and their legal successors, as well as representatives of government institutions. Prosecutors had previously requested a life sentence.
The charges against Vardanyan included articles related to the planning and waging of aggressive war; deportation and forcible displacement; persecution and enforced disappearance; torture; violations of international humanitarian law; intentional and attempted murder; terrorism and its financing; the creation of armed groups; illegal possession of weapons; actions threatening aviation security; and illegal border crossing, among others.
The court ultimately imposed a 20-year prison term.
Family Condemns Verdict
In a statement issued following the ruling, Vardanyan’s family described the sentence as “devastating, though not unexpected.”
“Today we learned that Ruben Vardanyan — a beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather — has been sentenced to 20 years in prison,” the statement read.
The family said that from the moment of his “arbitrary detention” 874 days ago, it had become clear that the outcome of the process was predetermined.
Throughout the proceedings, Vardanyan was denied fundamental guarantees of due process, including meaningful access to legal defense, contact with his international counsel, and the ability of independent media to attend hearings. According to the statement, the proceedings were held behind closed doors and under conditions incompatible with international fair trial standards, as well as Azerbaijani law.
Despite what they described as attempts to discredit Vardanyan’s reputation as a humanitarian, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur, the family said that expressions of support from governments, civil society leaders, and international observers had provided strength and hope.
“This is not merely a trial of Ruben Vardanyan and the other Armenian detainees; it is seen as a judgment against the Armenian people as a whole,” the statement said.
The family pledged to continue efforts to secure his release and the release of all Armenian detainees they describe as being held on politically motivated grounds. They also called on international leaders to take appropriate measures, consistent with international law, to ensure their freedom and protect their rights.
