BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 29. Azerbaijani civil
society has sent a letter opposing the intensifying international
campaigns that unfairly portray Ruben Vardanyan, who was convicted
of serious crimes, as a victim, while ignoring the actual victims —
the Azerbaijanis who suffered as a result of the crimes for which
he was convicted.
The letter reads:
"We strongly oppose the growing international campaigns that
unjustly portray Ruben Vardanyan, who was convicted of grave
crimes, as a victim while ignoring the real victims—the
Azerbaijanis who suffered from the crimes for which he was
convicted.
Particularly troubling are recent initiatives that mobilize
international sympathy and present him solely through a
humanitarian lens, thereby overlooking the immense suffering
endured by those victims and their families.
For years, Azerbaijani civil society, human rights advocates,
mine victims, survivors of ethnic cleansing, and families of
missing persons have engaged the international community through
peaceful and lawful advocacy.
In an open letter to President Donald Trump of the United States
of America, Azerbaijani civil society representatives emphasized
that those facing prosecution are not “hostages” or “political
prisoners,” but individuals convicted of serious crimes committed
during decades of conflict and occupation, and that justice and
accountability are indispensable for sustainable peace.
Similarly, in their appeal regarding the amendment introduced by
Representative Brad Sherman to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs
Committee, they stressed that these individuals were sentenced for
acts that caused immense suffering and led to the displacement of
hundreds of thousands of people, the destruction of cities,
civilian infrastructure, and cultural heritage. The devastating
scale of these actions directly culminated in deliberate acts of
genocide, ecocide, urbicide, and culturecide.
Azerbaijan has both the right and obligation under domestic and
international law to investigate and prosecute such crimes. The
proceedings were conducted openly, with access to legal
representation and full opportunities for defense.
Azerbaijani civil society has also rejected attempts to
disregard victims’ rights and distort the legality of these
proceedings, including in responses to the Lemkin Institute for
Genocide Prevention and appeals to members of
the British Parliament (https://www.azernews.az/nation/254843.html)
and international organizations. These efforts have consistently
sought truth, justice, accountability, reconciliation, and lasting
peace.
Yet our concern is not only legal. It is deeply human.
For decades, families of missing persons have appealed to
governments, international organizations, and the conscience of the
world. Among them was Elmira Dadashova, who joined a peaceful
demonstration in Geneva last year to remind the international
community that hundreds of Azerbaijani families still do not know
the fate of their loved ones. She spent years searching for answers
about her missing son, but passed away without ever learning his
fate.
Where was the global campaign for Elmira Dadashova?
Where are the global campaigns for more than 4,000 missing
Azerbaijanis?
And where are the international letters, petitions, and
advocacy efforts for more than 3,400 Azerbaijani landmine
victims?
At the historic Washington Summit of August 2025, facilitated by
President Donald Trump, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia
signed a Joint Declaration and initialed a peace treaty, opening a
fundamentally new chapter in relations between the two
countries.
Lasting peace requires trust. Yet trust cannot be built on
silence about past crimes.
The previous generation of Azerbaijanis endured conflict,
occupation, displacement, destruction, and loss. While remembering
the suffering of the past, we remain committed to building a future
grounded in peace, cooperation, justice, and mutual respect. Today,
Azerbaijanis and Armenians have a unique opportunity to build
reconciliation and trust.
As emphasized above, the individuals on whose behalf
international campaigns and letters are being organized were
prosecuted and convicted for grave crimes, not for their identity,
ethnicity, nationality, religion, or political beliefs.
If we fail to show that crimes have consequences and that
justice is upheld through lawful processes, what lesson are we
passing on to our children?
This question is directed to those who write letters, organize
campaigns, and advocate for the release of individuals convicted or
prosecuted for grave crimes.
We do not seek revenge. We seek justice.
Signatories
- Konul Behbudova – Chairwoman of the “Karabakh Missing Families”
Public Union - Sevinc Alizade – Chairwoman of the “Zafar” Support to Families
of Martyrs Public Union - Zaur Ibrahimli – Member of the Board of the Azerbaijan National
NGO Forum - Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the “Azerbaijani Journalists
Network” Public Union - Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the “Center for the Promotion of
Human Rights” Public Union - Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research
Fund - Rey Gasimov - Chairman of the “Association of Landmine Victims
in Azerbaijan” Public Union - Hafiz Safikhanov - Chairman of the “Azerbaijan Campaign Against
Landmines” Public Union - Shahla Naghiyeva - Chairwoman of the “Sonmez Mashal” Cultural
Relations Public Union - Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of the Regional Human Rights and
Media Center Public Union - Ahmad Abbasbayli - Chairman of the “Center for Development of
Society” Public Union - Irada Rzazada - Chairperson of the Public Union “For Social
Well-being of Citizens” - Jasarat Huseynzade - Chairman of the Public Union to Support
Information and Social Initiatives - Elshad Eyvazov - Chairman of the Independent Journalists Public
Union - Grandson of Khojaly victim Tofiq Huseynov, Nihad
Huseynzada - Granddaughter of Khojaly victim Bakir Huseynov, Aydan
Huseynzada - Granddaughter of Khojaly victim Maxmar Alakbarova, Maxmar
Alakbarova - Son of Khojaly victim Telman Orujov, Anar Orujov
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Raya Mahmudova, Kubra Mahmudova
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Bakir Huseynov, Samira
Huseynova - Daughter of Khojaly victim Azim Aliyev, Zumrud Aliyeva
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Tavakkul Amirov, Khazangul
Amirova - Son of Khojaly victim Firdovsi Aliyev, Mehdi Aliyev
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Tahir Khalilov, Hamayil
Khalilova - Son of Khojaly victim Mirsiyab Huseynov, Akif Huseynov
- Son of Khojaly victim Zinyat Huseynova, Adalat Huseynov
- Sister of Khojaly victim Fuzuli Rustamov, Figura Rustamova
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Zarifa Khalilova, Gulnar
Karimova - Son of Khojaly victim Rashid Huseynov, Samir Huseynov
- Daughter of Khojaly victim Gachay Khalilov, Tacira
Khalilova - Daughter of Khojaly victim Vagif Maharramov, Vasila
Maharramova - Son of Khojaly victim Huseyn Huseynov, Jamshid Huseynov
- Son of Khojaly victim Mammad Mammadov, Murvat Mammadov
- Mother of Khojaly victims Sohbat Mammadov and Mohlat Mammadov,
Narxanim Mammadova - Mother of missing person Abbas Behbudov, Dilruba Behbudova
- Wife of missing person Sakhavat Janiyev, Reyhan Janiyeva
- Wife of missing person Azad Jabbarov, Farida Jabbarova
- Wife of missing person Abulfat Aliyev, Nazani Aliyeva
- Mother of missing person Shahin Aliyev, Mahuru Shahin
- Son of missing person Feyruz Jalilov, Gabil Jalilov
- Wife of missing person Ogtay Mammadov, Parvana Mammadova
- Mother of missing person Telman Yusifov, Zarifa Yusifova
- Mother of missing person Bafadar Mirzayev, Sakina
Mirzayeva - Mother of missing person Bakhtiyar Fatullayev, Sona
Fatullayeva - Wife of missing person Zahir Gasimov, Minaya Gasimova
- Daughter of missing person Aydin Rahimov, Pustakhanim
Kalbiyeva - Daughter of missing person Ahmad Mammadov, Sevinc Hajiyeva
- Son of missing person Etibar Ahmadov, Ilham Ahmadov
- Sister of missing person Shirindil Hasanguliyev, Nazli
Hasanguliyeva - Wife of missing person Telman Gurbanov, Afina Gurbanova
- Mother of missing person Telman Mustafayev, Tahira
Mustafayeva - Wife of missing person Natig Malikov, Yagut Shirinova
- Mother of missing person Zahir Abdulov, Raya Abdulova
- Wife of missing person Salim Ahmadov, Reyhan Ahmadova
- Wife of martyr Vidadi Khalilov, Narmin Khalilova
- Mother of martyr Yashar Sadigov, Asli Sadigova
- Wife of martyr Akram Shadmanov, Gulshan Rahimzade
- Wife of martyr Ramiz Gasimov, Gunel Gasimova
- Wife of martyr Emin Suleymanov, Mahsati Suleymanova
- Wife of martyr Orkhan Akbarov, Nurana Akbarova
- Wife of martyr Vugar Yusifov, Lala Aliyeva
- Wife of martyr Garib Bakhshaliyev, Gulnara Bakhshaliyeva
- Mother of martyr Savalan Gafarov, Khayala Gafarova
- Wife of martyr Rashad Guliyev, Aytan Guliyeva
- Wife of martyr Elzamin Tahmazov, Gunay Tahmazova
- Wife of martyr Nail Orujov, Nigar Agamaliyeva
- Wife of martyr Shukur Hamidov, Konul Hamidova
- Wife of martyr Babak Ramaldanov, Aygun Ramaldanova
- Wife of martyr Natiq Ismayilov, Nigar Ismayilova
- Wife of martyr Mehman Ganbarov, Khuraman Ganbarova
- Mother of martyr Camal Ismayilov, Filara Ismayilova
- Mother of martyr Soltan Mammadov, Sumaya Mammadova
- Wife of martyr Yashar Sadigov, Nishana Sadigova
- Mine victim Sohbat Shirinov
- Mine victim Hafiz Azimzada
- Mine victim Bahruz Camalov
- Mine victim Vakil Valiyev
- Mine victim Yavar Babayev
- Mine victim Zamaddin Hasanov
- Mine victim Hasanali Alizada
- Mine victim Ilgar Baghirov
- Mine victim Avaz Ismayilov
- Mine victim Akif Huseynov
- Mine victim Huseyn Huseynov
- Mine victim Bayram Huseynov
- Mine victim Ruhin Valiyev
- Mine victim Khazar Babashov
- Mine victim Suleyman Heydarov
- Mine victim Tamam Jafarova
- Mine victim Dilbar Isayeva
- Mine victim Elman Jafarov
- Mine victim Zabil Mammadov
- Mine victim Oktay Badalov
- Wife of deceased mine victim Yavar Babayev, Malahat
Babayeva - Father of deceased mine victim Razi Huseynov, Akif
Huseynov - Father of deceased mine victim Ramal Ojaqquliyev, Kamal
Ojaqquliyev - Father of deceased mine victim Israyil Hasanov, Ibrahim
Hasanov - Father of deceased mine victim Amid Hasanov, Huseyn
Hasanov."
