On September 16, 2026, Ruben Vardanyan issued a public appeal to Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who had previously expressed her willingness to support the protection of the rights of Armenian prisoners.
Vardanyan is being held at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex along with 18 other Armenian citizens. In his appeal, he raised a number of issues, emphasizing that they also contradict Azerbaijani legislation. He referred to the Penitentiary Code and a booklet on prisoners’ rights that the Ombudsman’s Office had provided to prisoners in April this year. According to him, these rights must be upheld regardless of the charge, nationality, religion, or citizenship of the individual.
The issues raised include the lack of weekly phone calls and the unavailability of video calls, as a result of which some prisoners have not seen their children for nearly three years. Vardanyan also noted that it is impossible to undergo medical examinations even at one’s own expense, that it is not possible to issue a power of attorney in the name of relatives due to the refusal of notarial services, and that physical exercise is limited to once a week for 20–40 minutes, although one hour per day is предусмотрено. He also spoke about the lack of written responses to applications and complaints.
According to Vardanyan, following the suspension of the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross, prisoners lost an important means of maintaining contact with their families, and most of them no longer receive parcels. Many also lack the funds to purchase food from the prison shop or make phone calls.
Vardanyan also recalled an initiative by his wife, Veronika Zonabend. She is ready to travel to Baku, meet with the Human Rights Ombudsman and Armenian citizens serving prison sentences, and deliver around 1,000 letters, parcels, and essential items, but her requests have gone unanswered.
Vardanyan proposed that the Human Rights Ombudsman meet with the prisoners and monitor compliance with Azerbaijani laws, regardless of how much longer they will remain in Umbaki.
The main feature of the appeal is that the issues raised are presented not only as prisoners’ everyday difficulties but are also linked to the provisions of Azerbaijan’s current legislation and the official booklet on prisoners’ rights. This approach shifts the discussion toward the observance of specific rights, as Vardanyan points to norms that, in his presentation, should apply regardless of a person’s citizenship or the charge against them.
The issue of contact with families is particularly sensitive. If a person is unable to see their children, speak to them by phone, or receive parcels sent by their family for an extended period, the problem goes beyond mere everyday inconvenience. The assistance proposed by Veronika Zonabend falls within the same context, and according to the published appeal, no response has been received regarding it. The question of what response and practical steps may follow from the Human Rights Ombudsman concerning the issues raised remains open.
