ANC-International Report Exposes Serious Contradictions in Ruben Vardanyan’s Baku Conviction

YEREVAN — ANC-International published a special report on October 27 documenting serious legal contradictions and procedural violations in the prosecution and conviction of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan by an Azerbaijani military court.

The English-language report, entitled “Justice” According to Azerbaijan, examines the February 17, 2026, judgment sentencing Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.

Based on English translations of the 1,969-page indictment and 1,864-page judgment, alongside legal analyses by international lawyer Taron Simonyan, the report identifies fundamental inconsistencies in the court’s own findings.

Among its most striking conclusions is that Vardanyan received a 14-year sentence under a criminal provision never included in the indictment or the court’s finding of guilt. The maximum statutory sentence for that offence is five years.

The report also finds that none of more than 2,000 forensic medical assessments cited in the judgment mentions Vardanyan. Of the hundreds of victims and relatives who testified, no witness described an individual criminal act committed by him.

ANC-International further highlights the prosecution of a civilian before a military court, restrictions on his international legal representation and the absence of independent international observers throughout nearly 60 hearings.

ANC-International Chairman Hagop Der Khatchadourian stressed that the contradictions are evident in the judicial documents themselves and demanded the immediate, unconditional release of Vardanyan and all Armenian hostages.

The organization called on international governments to make their release integral to relations with Azerbaijan and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

Despite the Pashinyan government’s repeated emphasis on diplomatic progress, 20 Armenians remain detained in Azerbaijan, underscoring the unresolved human rights consequences of the Artsakh conflict.