During a phone call relayed through his family, Ruben Vardanyan sent two audio messages from a Baku prison: he requested that one be published today and the other on Sunday. He also stated that his next statement will only be made at the final court session — and only if representatives of the international community are present.
Pashinyan will depart from his office someday, but the damage he leaves behind for Armenia and Armenians will last for decades. That is why, the sooner he steps down, the better for Armenia.
“We are getting reports that Armenian government officials are not mentioning Armenian hostages or Artsakh in their meetings with U.S. officials.
Bishop Hovakim Manukyan of the Diocese of The Armenian Church of the United Kingdom & Ireland, together with a group of Christian leaders, has sent a letter to the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressing deep concern over the unlawful detention of 23 Armenians by Azerbaijan. Following the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh in 2023, these individuals—including former government officials, prisoners of war, and civilians—are facing fabricated charges, unfair trials, and inhumane treatment in Baku.
A coalition of American Christian leaders has sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging decisive action to free 24 Christian hostages—23 Armenian Christians and one Azerbaijani Christian convert—held by Azerbaijani authorities. Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, who remains in extremely critical condition as his hunger strike extends into its 21st day, leaving his health rapidly deteriorating in Azerbaijani detention. In their appeal, the signatories cite credible reports of torture and ongoing abuse, emphasizing their belief that President Trump’s leadership is uniquely positioned to resolve this crisis, and that swift action is needed to save Christian lives.
Dr. Arthur Khachikian, Stanford Doctor in Political Science talked with Karnig Kerkonian, an international lawyer and lead counsel in several precedent-setting Armenian rights matters in U.S. and international courts, a Partner of Kerkonian Dajani LLP. He educated at Harvard, Cambridge, and the University of Chicago.
The united representatives of all Armenian churches worldwide have issued an urgent appeal to Christians around the world, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan.
Syeda Ghulam Fatima, 2016 Aurora Prize Finalist and Pakistani human rights activist, intends to travel to Baku in order to attend Ruben Vardanyan’s hearings. Free Armenian Prisoners reports on X.
Today is March 5th. I want to say a few words to you as Ruben Vardanyan, just as I am: as an Armenian, who speaks and thinks in Russian. As a man of the world, who is happily married, loves everyone, who has dedicated himself to self-education, and who lives with faith in God.
Political prisoner, RPA Vice Chairman Armen Ashotyan, during a traditional Q&A with 168.am at the end of the regular court hearing in his case, addressed the issues facing Armenia’s domestic and foreign policy, including the “bill” on membership in the European Union (EU) presented in the National Assembly by Nikol Pashinyan and pro-government civil initiative organizations, people’s parties, and their pro-Western units, and its postponement.
