A coalition of Azerbaijani civil society has issued an open letter criticising international campaigns that portray individuals convicted in Azerbaijan of war-related crimes, including Ruben Vardanyan, as victims.
The letter, signed by non-governmental organisations, families of martyrs, relatives of missing persons, victims of landmine incidents and former internally displaced persons, emphasises that Ruben Vardanyan and others were convicted of committing serious crimes, including financing separatism and terrorism, Caliber.Az reports.
"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," the letter states.
The document notes that the artificially orchestrated campaigns surrounding their names are intended to drown out the voices of the real victims of these crimes—thousands of Azerbaijanis who have suffered for decades from the conflict, occupation, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, and the threat of landmines.
The letter says Azerbaijani civil society has for years appealed to international organisations to support the rights of victims of war crimes and to promote accountability under international law. It also refers to previous appeals addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump, members of the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament, as well as international organisations, including the Lemkin Institute.
“Azerbaijan has both the right and obligation under domestic and international law to investigate and prosecute such crimes,” the letter reads.
The authors also state that any external interference in the country's judicial process is unacceptable.
By Sabina Mammadli
