Armenian prisoners in Baku denied access to Bible, religious tattoos burned – lawyer

Armenian prisoners held in Baku are being denied access to religious materials, including the Bible, and have had religious symbols confiscated and even burned, according to Siranush Sahakyan, head of the International and Comparative Law Center and representative of Armenian prisoners before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Sahakyan stated that Azerbaijani authorities have adopted a differentiated approach in their treatment of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, noting a significant increase in his isolation from the outside world.

“We have observed a distinct pattern in Ruben Vardanyan’s case. His isolation has intensified,” Sahakyan said, adding that information obtained through his family indicates a reduction in the frequency of his phone calls.

According to Sahakyan, 16 Armenian detainees are currently permitted one phone call per week, typically on Wednesdays, while seven convicted individuals are allowed to make calls once every four to six weeks. However, this weekly schedule has not been maintained in Vardanyan’s case.

“For reasons that remain unclear, he is being isolated, his trial is being delayed, and he is being deprived of the opportunity to deliver a final statement,” she said.

Sahakyan emphasized that the issue of Armenian prisoners also has a religious dimension. “We are dealing specifically with the conviction of Christian Armenians, and the role of Christianity as a factor in their treatment is evident in several issues related to religious symbols,” she stated.

The lawyer noted that while certain books are permitted for Armenian detainees, the transfer of the Bible is reportedly prohibited without any official explanation. “It remains unclear whether this ban applies specifically to Ruben Vardanyan or to other prisoners as well,” Sahakyan added.

According to her account, religious symbols have been confiscated, prisoners have been forbidden from keeping them, and in some cases even religious tattoos have been burned.

In Sahakyan’s assessment, the prisoners’ Christian identity may be an additional factor complicating efforts to resolve their situation.