Human Rights Watch: Azerbaijan must ensure regular ICRC access to Armenian detainees

ArmInfo.  Azerbaijan must provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with regular access to persons detained in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This was stated by Giorgi Gogia, associate director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch, addressing the issue of violations of the rights of Armenian prisoners held in Baku, in response to Ruben Vardanyan’s letter to Azerbaijan’s ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva.

In his article, Gogia notes that "Ruben Vardanyan, a former senior official of the de facto administration of Nagorno-Karabakh, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Azerbaijan, says that he and 18 other Armenian prisoners are being denied regular contact with their families, adequate physical exercise, medical examinations, and other rights provided for under Azerbaijani law."

At the same time, Gogia states that Human Rights Watch was unable to independently verify these claims.

The expert drew attention to the fact that after the Azerbaijani government closed the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the country in September 2025, contacts between prisoners and their families became more difficult.  He recalled that the ICRC had reported that representatives from Geneva visited the detainees in December, held private meetings with them, offered them the opportunity to communicate with their families, and assessed the conditions of their detention and treatment. However, visits have now become less regular.

"Azerbaijan should ensure that all prisoners are able to maintain regular contact with their families, receive letters and permitted parcels, obtain necessary medical care, and have sufficient opportunities for daily outdoor exercise. It should also provide the ICRC with regular access to persons detained in connection with the conflict," Gogia stated.

He also recalled that Vardanyan was detained in September 2023 while attempting to leave Nagorno-Karabakh and travel to Armenia together with more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians who had fled following Azerbaijan’s military aggression.

"On February 17, 2026, the Baku Military Court sentenced Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on a number of charges, including terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.  The trial raised serious concerns regarding the right to a fair trial. Civilians, including Vardanyan, were tried in a military court, and the hearings were conducted largely without independent oversight. Amnesty International reported that evidence was presented in a language the defendants did not understand, and proper interpretation was not provided," the HRW representative added.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war  and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts estimate that there are several hundred of them. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm that they are holding 19 Armenians.  Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are 8 former and current representatives of Artsakh’s military and political leadership. They include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister David Babayan; as well as parliamentary speaker David Ishkhanyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

In February, the Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on fabricated charges, while Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.  The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh Armenians to up to 15 years in prison.