BAKU, Azerbaijan, September
19. Azerbaijani Ombudsman’s Office has rejected
allegations on violation of Armenian prisoners' rights.


This was reflected in the statement by the Ombudsman’s
Office.


According to the information, as part of the Ombudsman’s
National Preventive Mechanism activities, meetings were held with
individuals of Armenian origin, including Ruben Vardanyan, at the
facilities where they were detained, covering the pre-trial
investigation stage, the court proceedings, and the period
following their conviction and transfer to a penitentiary
institution; the status of their rights, detention conditions, and
treatment were continuously monitored.


The statement noted that these monitoring activities were
conducted in accordance with international standards, with constant
attention paid to ensuring human rights and freedoms. During
unannounced visits carried out by myself and members of the
Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group (NPG), these individuals,
including Vardanyan, had their rights explained to them in their
native language; a physician member of the NPG assessed their
current health status; and they were provided with relevant
publications and legislative acts in their native language, in line
with their requests. Furthermore, numerous works of fiction in
various languages were provided to them based on their requests.
Each of these individuals has the opportunity to contact the
Ombudsperson’s 916 Call Center, and timely responses in accordance
with the law have been provided to every inquiry they have
made.


Besides, according to the statement, during the regular visits
we conducted, it was observed that the detention conditions at the
facility where the aforementioned prisoners are held meet modern
standards and that there is no discrimination against them.
Furthermore, their rights and freedoms—as enshrined in
international instruments and national legislation—are upheld,
including their rights to engage in sports activities and to have
access to outdoor exercise and leisure time. Despite having no
funds in their accounts upon transfer to the correctional facility,
they have been granted unrestricted access to telephone
conversations with family members and to information.


“We also observed that requests made by the aforementioned
prisoners regarding notarial and medical services have been
addressed in accordance with the law.


Most recently, a request by Arayik Harutyunyan for notarial
services was fulfilled; as this coincided with the day of our
visit, members of the Ombudsman’s National Preventive Group were
able to observe the provision of this service on-site.


Furthermore, requests made by these individuals to the
Ombudsperson regarding additional medical examinations, extra
telephone conversations with family members, and consistent appeals
to state institutions—submitted either by the individuals
themselves or their lawyers—have been facilitated.


Based on the independent monitoring and visits conducted by the
Ombudsperson, we wish to state that the rights of these
individuals—who have been sentenced to deprivation of liberty
following judicial confirmation of their commission of crimes
against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, the financing of
terrorism, and other grave offenses—are being upheld without any
discrimination. Consequently, the allegations raised on their
behalf on various websites are entirely baseless, do not reflect
the truth, and serve biased political agendas,” added the
statement.