“It is of great importance that Azerbaijan ensures the right to a fair trial and adequate detention conditions, in line with its international commitments,” the EU foreign policy spokeswoman, Anitta Hipper, told the Armenpress news agency. “The alleged war crimes and other offences need to be investigated in a transparent manner.”
“We are aware that the Armenian government and others, namely human rights organizations, have expressed concerns over the treatment of the defendants,” she said. “We take these concerns very seriously and are closely following the developments. Azerbaijani authorities should promptly and impartially investigate all allegations of ill-treatment and if so, hold those responsible to account.”
Hipper’s comments contrasted with a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on March 13 as well as a weekend statement by U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz. The latter urged Baku to “release the prisoners” when he welcomed major progress made in Armenian-Azerbaijani talks on a bilateral peace treaty.
The EU legislature condemned the “sham trials” of former Karabakh premier Ruben Vardanyan, seven other leaders of the region and eight other Karabakh Armenians captured during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive. It demanded the immediate release of these and 17 other Armenian prisoners described by it as “hostages.”
Its resolution denounced by Baku said the EU must impose sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for the “inhumane and degrading treatment” of the defendants. It also renewed European Parliament calls for the EU to suspend an agreement on “strategic partnership” in the field of energy signed with Azerbaijan in 2022.
The head of the EU’s executive body, Ursula von der Leyen, described Azerbaijan as a “key partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels” when she signed the energy deal in Baku. The European Parliament criticized that statement in 2023.
The high-profile trials began at a military court in Baku on January 17. The defendants are facing a long list of charges, including genocide and war crimes.
Vardanyan strongly denies the accusations. The Armenian-born businessman and philanthropist went on hunger strike on February 18 to protest against what he called a “political show” marred by “egregious due process abuses.” He ended the protest more than two weeks later.
