28 February 2025, 23:33
Armenian NGOs urge Red Cross to conduct medical examination of Ruben Vardanyan
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) should conduct an independent examination of the health of Ruben Vardanyan, who is on a hunger strike, guarantee that he receives the due medical care and ensure the respect of the rights of all Armenian prisoners, 28 NGOs have stated.
On February 19, Ruben Vardanyan, a former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, went on a hunger strike in protest against the violation of legal norms during his trial in Baku. Vardanyan's hunger strike shows that the situation of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan is deteriorating. This was stated by eleven Armenian NGOs who called on the international community to facilitate Vardanyan's release.
In Azerbaijan, Vardanyan has been charged under 20 articles; he faces life imprisonment.
In their letter to Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the ICRC, 28 NGOs expressed their concern about Vardanyan's health, as well as about the situation of other Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.
"Armenian prisoners are subjected to politically motivated persecutions, ethnic discrimination and unfair treatment," the authors of the letter state, adding that it is important that the ICRC’s visit is not postponed and takes place in a timely manner.
On December 17, 2024, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office sent a criminal case against 15 former leaders and residents of Nagorno-Karabakh to the Baku Military Court. Azerbaijan has 15 former Karabakh officials in custody, including former presidents Arayik Arutyunyan, Bako Saakyan and Arkady Gukasyan.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 28, 2025 at 05:06 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Tigran Petrosyan Source: СK correspondent
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