Speaking to GB News, Suleymanov emphasized that international legal bodies have already rejected these accusations.
According to the ambassador, both the International Court of Justice and a working group of the UN Human Rights Council on arbitrary detention dismissed the claims of due process violations “about two months ago.” He reiterated that “the due process is being followed” in full.
Vardanyan, 56, is facing 42 criminal charges, including war crimes, terrorism, and mercenary activity, in a military court in Baku. A prominent businessman who made his fortune in Russia, he is also known for co-founding the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative with actor George Clooney. However, his career has not been free of controversy: a 2019 OCCRP investigation alleged his former investment bank was involved in large-scale money laundering in the 2000s. Vardanyan denied involvement and was never charged.
Describing him as “an oligarch parachuted into Karabakh from Moscow,” Suleymanov accused Vardanyan of financing separatist and terrorist activities and making threats against Azerbaijani officials. “He is sanctioned by Ukraine for supporting military actions — not by us,” the ambassador noted.
Responding to accusations made by Vardanyan’s son David, who called the trial a “kangaroo court” and alleged multiple procedural violations, Suleymanov acknowledged the family’s emotional response but rejected the legal claims. “I understand the feelings of a family. Of course, it’s emotional. But courts must operate,” he said.
On allegations that Vardanyan had been denied access to a Bible, used by some human rights advocates to frame the case in religious terms, the ambassador responded: “He has access to the prison library. Most likely, he has a Bible. But to my knowledge, he never requested one.”
Suleymanov concluded by emphasizing that the proceedings are transparent and accessible to the public and media: “They are not closed. You can see them on TV. He has his defense.”
