MFA: UN rejected Yerevan's groundless allegations in the Vardanyan case

We welcome the conclusion (A/HRC/WGAD/2024/46) published on March 13, 2025, by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the UN Human Rights Council, which rejects the claims of the Armenian side in the case of Ruben Vardanyan.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this is stated in the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

It is noted that the Working Group in its conclusion rejected the Armenian side's assertions that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested for freedom of expression and political activities. The conclusion specifically emphasizes that Ruben Vardanyan is accused by the Republic of Azerbaijan of causing the death of several persons and causing large-scale destruction, financing terrorism, creating illegal armed formations and other crimes, and he was arrested precisely on the basis of these charges.

"At the same time, the Armenian side's claims that he was arrested for defending his rights and statements made within this framework were found to be unfounded. The Working Group's conclusion notes that freedom of expression and freedom of association are not absolute rights and may be subject to restrictions, especially for reasons related to national security and public order. According to the conclusion, the charges against R. Vardanyan allow for the conclusion that his actions posed a threat to national security.

At the same time, commenting on the Armenian side's allegations about actions allegedly violating R. Vardanyan's "presumption of innocence" during the charging and trial process, it is noted that his arrest was carried out on the basis of reasonable suspicions. Thus, despite the Armenian side's claims that Ruben Vardanyan was allegedly not given adequate time and conditions to prepare his defense, and that he was deprived of this and other rights to a fair trial, the Working Group concluded that these allegations were unfounded, and confirmed that the Azerbaijani side provided legal procedures in accordance with international standards.

In general, despite the allegations put forward by the Armenian side to the Working Group about the unjustified arrest of Ruben Vardanyan, the Working Group's opinion against these allegations once again proved that the campaign to discredit Azerbaijan in connection with the arrest of the said person and the trial is completely unfounded, and thus another attempt by the Armenian side to manipulate international law norms has failed."