Access to Armenian prisoners in Baku remains blocked as Ruben Vardanyan’s wife raises alarm over lawyer restrictions

YEREVAN — Veronika Zonabend, the wife of imprisoned former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, has raised renewed concerns over restrictions on Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan, revealing that her husband’s local lawyer has been unable to meet him since August 25.

In a statement issued November 6, Zonabend said an international women’s humanitarian delegation remains prepared to travel to Baku to visit Armenian prisoners and deliver letters, photographs and personal packages from their families.

The initiative, however, cannot proceed without assurances of access to the detainees and security guarantees for the delegation.

Zonabend said she has repeatedly contacted Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner since June, proposing several arrangements, including visits by a smaller delegation or accompanied by a representative of the commissioner’s office. None of these requests has received a response.

She also expressed concern over reports in Azerbaijani media suggesting that she could face arrest if she travelled to Baku.

The statement raised questions about the Armenian government’s diplomatic efforts. Zonabend recalled meeting Foreign Ministry officials on August 17 alongside human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan. She said no official has subsequently been assigned to coordinate the initiative and that their written request remains unanswered.

On October 1, organizers submitted 1,254 letters addressed to Armenian prisoners to the Armenian government, seeking assistance in delivering them to Baku.

The continuing restrictions stand in contrast to expanding contacts between Yerevan and Baku, including economic exchanges and visits by Armenian delegations.

For the families of Armenian prisoners, access to their loved ones remains an urgent humanitarian concern. Zonabend stressed that the delegation’s central objective is to restore family contact and continue working toward the release of all Armenian detainees.