Humanitarian visit to Baku rejected: Veronika Sonnband on risks and lack of response from the authorities The wife of the former Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, who was illegally detained in Baku, Veronica Sonnband, declared a humanitarian visit to Baku. "The international delegation of humanitarian women will be ready to leave for Baku as soon as it is possible to agree on access to Armenian prisoners and security conditions for its participants. We are responsible for each of them, so we consider it necessary to reach these agreements first. The delegation included women from different countries, known for their social and professional activities. They wanted to visit all the Armenian prisoners in the Umbaki prison complex and give them letters, photographs and packages from their loved ones. Since June 2026, I have contacted the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan several times. I proposed different formats: a visit by the entire delegation, a small group or a visit accompanied by a representative of its staff. I also asked to agree on the security terms. Unfortunately we have not yet received an answer. During this period, publications appeared in the Azerbaijani media about a possible arrest if I arrived. We are also concerned that since August 25, Ruben has not been allowed to see his local lawyer. We hope this issue will be resolved. I also appealed to the Armenian government for diplomatic assistance. After Siranoosh Sahkian and I met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 17, the person responsible was still not specified and our written request remained unanswered. Economic contacts develop between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Armenian delegations visit Azerbaijan. This is proof that there are all the prerequisites for organizing a humanitarian visit and visiting Armenian prisoners should be on the agenda of one of such visits. We decided not to delay the letters that the delegation was supposed to deliver in person.

Humanitarian visit to Baku rejected: Veronika Sonnband on risks and lack of response from the authorities The wife of the former Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, who was illegally detained in Baku, Veronica Sonnband, declared a humanitarian visit to Baku. "The international delegation of humanitarian women will be ready to leave for Baku as soon as it is possible to agree on access to Armenian prisoners and security conditions for its participants. We are responsible for each of them, so we consider it necessary to reach these agreements first. The delegation included women from different countries, known for their social and professional activities. They wanted to visit all the Armenian prisoners in the Umbaki prison complex and give them letters, photographs and packages from their loved ones. Since June 2026, I have contacted the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan several times. I proposed different formats: a visit by the entire delegation, a small group or a visit accompanied by a representative of its staff. I also asked to agree on the security terms. Unfortunately we have not yet received an answer. During this period, publications appeared in the Azerbaijani media about a possible arrest if I arrived. We are also concerned that since August 25, Ruben has not been allowed to see his local lawyer. We hope this issue will be resolved. I also appealed to the Armenian government for diplomatic assistance. After Siranoosh Sahkian and I met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 17, the person responsible was still not specified and our written request remained unanswered. Economic contacts develop between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Armenian delegations visit Azerbaijan. This is proof that there are all the prerequisites for organizing a humanitarian visit and visiting Armenian prisoners should be on the agenda of one of such visits. We decided not to delay the letters that the delegation was supposed to deliver in person.