Ruben Vardanyan case

Ruben Vardanyan was not allowed to finish what he wanted to tell Azerbaijan’s ombudsman

Ruben Vardanyan

March 16, 2026

“His call was forcibly cut off,” his family said. They published an audio recording of his appeal to Sabina Aliyeva. The Armenian detainee could not reach her by phone or through his lawyer.

What's next for Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan — and could Ilham Aliyev release them?

Azerbaijan-Armenia

February 19, 2026

Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan has said that “negotiations will not stop until the last Armenian detainee is returned”, a position that differs sharply from that of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

'Shocking but expected verdict': Ruben Vardanyan sentenced to 20 years in Baku

Ruben Vardanyan

February 17, 2026

The former state minister of the unrecognised NKR barred his lawyer from presenting arguments in his defence, saying it was “not a court, but a tribunal”. Vardanyan’s final statement, his family’s response and expert commentary