
ArmInfo. The Armenian National Committee International (ANC-International) has published a new special report titled "Justice, Azerbaijani Style: The Prosecution, Trial, and Conviction of Ruben Vardanyan."
According to ANC-International, the report provides a detailed legal assessment of the trial against former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, revealing serious violations of fair trial guarantees, inconsistencies in the court's decision, and a lack of evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
It also examines international reactions and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Vardanyan and all Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan.
The full report can be found at the following link:https://ancuk.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2026/10/20261027-Vardanyan_English_SpecialReport-fv.pdf.
It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate there are several hundred. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current representatives of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.
In February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison.