Baku, March 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Opinion (A/HRC/WGAD/2024/46) of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which was published on March 13, 2025, rejecting claims made by the Armenian side regarding the case of Ruben Vardanyan.
“In its Opinion, the Working Group explicitly rejected the Armenian side’s claims that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested for his freedom of expression and political activities,” the ministry stated. The UN body emphasized that Vardanyan is accused by Azerbaijan of committing severe crimes, including the death of numerous individuals, large-scale property destruction, financing of terrorism, and the establishment of illegal armed groups. His detention was carried out on the basis of these charges, it added.
The statement further clarified that Armenian claims suggesting Vardanyan was arrested for defending his rights and making political statements were deemed baseless. “The Working Group’s Opinion highlights that freedoms of expression and association are not absolute and can be subject to restrictions, particularly in the interest of national security and public order,” the ministry noted. According to the Opinion, the charges against Vardanyan indicate that his actions posed a threat to Azerbaijan’s national security.
Addressing allegations from the Armenian side regarding the legal proceedings, the ministry stated that the Working Group affirmed Vardanyan’s arrest was based on reasonable suspicions. The Opinion refuted claims that he had been deprived of adequate time and facilities to prepare his defense or that his fair trial rights were violated. Instead, the Working Group concluded that Azerbaijan ensured legal procedures were conducted in accordance with international standards.
The Foreign Ministry underscored that the Working Group’s rejection of the Armenian side’s allegations reaffirms the legitimacy of Azerbaijan’s legal actions. “This Opinion has once again demonstrated that the smear campaign against Azerbaijan concerning Vardanyan’s arrest and judicial process is entirely baseless. The Armenian side’s attempts to manipulate international legal norms have failed once again,” the statement concluded.
