The Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide, operating in the United States, expressed its support for the initiative of Veronika Zonabend, the wife of former Minister of State of Artsakh, philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, calling for the formation of a humanitarian delegation of women to visit the Armenians in prison in Baku.

“The Lemkin Institute appeals to the leaders of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU and the member states of that bloc, calling on them to guarantee the safety of Mrs. Zonabend and other women visiting Baku through their diplomatic presence in Azerbaijan,” the statement said.

“We call on human rights defenders, influential individuals, politicians and international organizations, particularly those structures that deal with the protection of human rights and the prevention of genocides, to join us in our efforts to support the women and family members of imprisoned Armenians, creating an opportunity for them to visit their relatives in Baku,” the Lemkin Institute said in a statement.

Former Minister of State of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ruben Vardanyan, who has never held a military position, was found guilty by the Baku court of a number of crimes, including war against Azerbaijan, financing of terrorism, displacement of people.

Vardanyan called the incident not a trial, but a farce.

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