Azerbaijan Welcomes UN Working Group’s Opinion Rejecting Armenian Claims on Ruben Vardanyan Case
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Opinion (A/HRC/WGAD/2024/46) of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, published on March 13, 2025, which dismisses the Armenian side’s claims regarding the case of Ruben Vardanyan.
In an official statement, the ministry emphasized that the Working Group explicitly refuted allegations suggesting that Vardanyan was arrested due to his freedom of expression and political activities. Instead, the Opinion underscores that the Republic of Azerbaijan has accused Vardanyan of committing serious crimes, including the deaths of numerous individuals, large-scale property destruction, financing terrorism, and establishing illegal armed groups. His detention, according to the Working Group’s findings, was based on these criminal charges.
Furthermore, the statement rejected Armenian claims that Vardanyan was arrested for defending his rights or making political statements. The Working Group’s Opinion reaffirmed that freedoms of expression and association are not absolute and can be restricted for reasons related to national security and public order. Based on the charges against Vardanyan, the Opinion concluded that his actions posed a legitimate threat to national security.
Addressing concerns regarding the fairness of the judicial process, the Working Group also dismissed Armenian allegations that Vardanyan’s presumption of innocence had been violated. The Opinion clarified that his arrest was grounded in reasonable suspicions and affirmed that Azerbaijan ensured due legal procedures in accordance with international standards. Claims suggesting that Vardanyan was denied adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense were found to be unsubstantiated.
Overall, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the Opinion of the Working Group has once again invalidated the smear campaign against the country concerning Vardanyan’s detention and judicial process. It further highlighted that the Armenian side’s attempts to manipulate international legal norms have failed.
