Jared Genser, international lawyer for former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, who is imprisoned in Baku on fabricated charges, stated that “not a single right has been respected by Azerbaijan” regarding Armenian prisoners of war.
Commenting on the ongoing trials in Azerbaijan, where testimonies are being presented against various former political and military leaders of Artsakh, Genser told RFE/RL that verdicts have long been predetermined.
“These cases are being heard in military courts, but under international law, civilians must not be tried by military tribunals. This is illegal because military judges and prosecutors are not independent—they report to the commander-in-chief, in this case, President Aliyev. So the outcome is prearranged.
Ruben will be convicted. So will the others. Ultimately, this is a political issue. The important thing now is understanding how to free political prisoners detained by dictators,” Genser said.
Baku has charged Vardanyan under more than 40 criminal counts, including terrorism, mercenarism, incitement of war, and mass murder. He faces life imprisonment.
According to Genser, Vardanyan is being held in harsh conditions, weakened by hunger strikes, and has not been visited by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives since March—raising further concern. Zara Amatuni, a spokesperson for the ICRC office in Armenia, had earlier confirmed the last visit took place in March.
“Aliyev clearly sought to ethnically cleanse 200,000 Armenian Christians. That seemed to be the start of his campaign. He also targeted leaders like Ruben, forced the government to dissolve itself, and effectively eliminated it. All of this was part of a long-term plan,” Genser said, describing the charges as politically motivated.
He emphasized that Baku’s policy was part of a deliberate strategy involving both ethnic cleansing and the dismantling of the Artsakh administration.
When asked whether international awareness has led to any concrete actions, Genser hinted at encouraging signs, including from the Donald Trump administration.
“Secretary Rubio will undoubtedly play an important role in advancing this process and preventing further delays,” he added.
Responding to the suggestion that there is still hope, Genser replied: “There is. Honestly, I feel more hopeful now than before, because I see clear progress—both in public statements and in what I hear behind the scenes. Aliyev clearly understands what he must do and that there will be consequences if he does not move this process forward.”
In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population in Artsakh, Azerbaijan captured numerous former leaders, including Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and others. All face fabricated charges that could result in life imprisonment. The politically motivated trial began in Baku on January 17.
