Azerbaijani NGOs address letter to Norwegian Nobel Committee

Azerbaijani NGOs and residents of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur addressed an open letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee on the occasion of a campaign started for separatist Ruben Vardanyan's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Dear management and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,

We, as representatives of Azerbaijani NGOs and residents of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, are disappointed with the news published in the media about the nomination of Ruben Vardanya as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, and we want to bring to your attention the firm position of the Azerbaijani public on this matter.

Ruben Vardanyan's life and activities are insulting to the ideals and values guided by the Nobel Peace Prize; even the very mention of these names together can tarnish the high prestige of this highest award accepted in the world and confuse the international community.

There are serious accusations against Ruben Vardanyan as a criminal element who amassed wealth through money laundering and as a person who finances terrorism. He was for some time one of the "top leaders" of the so-called separatist regime - the military junta, which was established in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia and later released itself.

At that time, his arrival in Garabagh with the intention of being an obstacle to peace and his provocative statements made the situation increasingly tense, and he tried to disrupt the normalisation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Disregarding international legal norms, Vardanyan threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, encouraged the maintenance of a "grey zone" in the territory of Azerbaijan, and prevented the return of Azerbaijani IDPs to Khankendi, Khojaly and other settlements.

For the likes of Ruben Vardanyan, nothing is more sacred than dirty money. It is not excluded that one of the main motives that brought him to Garabagh at that time was to illegally exploit and transport the gold and copper-molybdenum deposits of Azerbaijan in these areas by reorganising the remnants of the Armenian army in Garabagh.

Ruben Vardanyan was detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in September 2023 while trying to escape from Garabagh. He is charged with the articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for financing terrorism, participating in the creation and operation of armed groups or groups not provided for by legislation, and illegally crossing the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At present, investigative and operational measures are being continued.

There are serious doubts about Ruben Vardanyan's dark financial activities in many countries. In 2019, the OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) published an investigative report on Vardanya's illegal activities called Troika Laundromat. This report exposed a complex network of alleged illegal activities involving Ruben Vardanyan. In March 2019, members of the European Parliament wrote a letter to the President of the European Commission, stating the need to impose sanctions against the former owner of Troika Dialog, Ruben Vardanyan, and other persons connected with the "offshore system" of Troika Dialog. The letter was signed by 22 European MPs representing Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and other countries.

Ruben Vandanya, an international financial fraudster who built a business empire with dirty money, has the blood of innocent people in the world, he participated in the financing of terrorism wherever he wanted to make a profit by illegal means.

The Nobel Peace Prize embodies the spirit of peace, reconciliation and international cooperation that Alfred Nobel wanted to promote. We urge the Norwegian Nobel Committee to take into account the clear and decisive position of the Azerbaijani public regarding Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused of numerous crimes."

Signatures:

1. Fatma Sattarova - Chairman of the Board of the Organisation of War, Labourand Armed Forces Veterans of the Republic of Azerbaijan
2. Ramil Iskanderli - Chairman of "Legal Analysis and Research" Public Union
3. Azer Allahverenov - Chairman of the "Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform" Public Union
4. Zaur Ibrahimov - Chairman of "Prioritet" Social Economic Research Centre Public Union
5. Gunel Safarova - Chairman of "Vetandash" Research and Development Public Union
6. Alimammad Nuriyev - President of the "Constitution" Research Foundation
7. Novella Jafarova - Chairman of the Azerbaijan Women's Rights Protection Society named after D. Aliyeva
8. Saida Gocamanli - Chairman of the Public Union for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law
9. Saadat Bananyarli - Chairman of the Board of the International Human Rights Society-Azerbaijan National Branch
10. Umud Mirzayev, president of the International Eurasian Press Foundation
11. Rauf Zeini - Chairman of Azerbaijan National Non-Governmental Organisations Forum
12. Khatira Valiyeva - Chairman of "Khankendi" Support Public Union for Forced Displaced Persons
13. Vugar Gadirov - Chairman of the "Youth Organisation for Return and Revival" Public Union
14. Leyla Huseynova - Chairman of the Public Union of Refugees and IDPs, "Social Welfare"
15. Konul Behbudova - Chairman of "Karabakh Missing Families" Public Union
16. Sevinj Alizadeh - Chairman of "Zafar" Support Public Union for Martyrs' Families
17. Ray Karimoglu - Chairman of the Association of Mine Victims Public Union in Azerbaijan
18. Mehriban Mammadova - Chairman of "Humanitarian Studies" Public Union
19. Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of "Regional Human Rights and Media Center" Public Union
20. Tunzala Abdulalimova - Chairman of the "For the Fatherland" Public Union of Support to Martyrs' Families
21. Jeyran Hasanova - Chairman of the Public Union of Support to Mothers of Martyrs
22. Telman Gasimov - Chairman of "Scientific Research" Public Union
23. Bahruz Mammadzade - Chairman of the Public Union "Veterans, Families of Martyrs and Veterans of Special Forces",
24. Mehdi Mehdiyev - Chairman of Azerbaijan Karabakh War Disabled Veterans and Families of Martyrs Public Union
25. Fuzuli Rzaguliyev - Chairman of the Public Union "Veterans of the Patriotic War of Azerbaijan".
26. Jeyran Azizova - Chairman of the "Khojali Genocide Promotion" Public Union
27. Naibeh Behbudova - Chairman of "Gurur" Martyrs' Families Charitable Public Union
28. Hafiz Safikhanov - Chairman of "Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines" Public Union
29. Oktay Sadigov - Chairman of the Public Union "Support for Refugees and Deportees"
30. Roza Aligizi - Chairman of "Soldier's Family Society" Propagation of Patriotism Public Union
31. Fariz Khalili - Chairman of MIRAS Cultural Heritage Learning Public Union
32. Agil Jamal - Chairman of "Common Values" Public Union
33. Sahin Jamalov - President of "Human Rights XXI century Azerbaijan" Foundation
34. Ahmet Abbasbeyli - Chairman of the "Development of Society and Civil Relations" Public Union
35. Mayis Aliyev - Chairman of the "Research of Social Rights" Public Union
36. Ay?en Huseynova - representative of the Genocide Truth Public Union
37. Shahla Naghiyeva - Chairman of Sonmez Mashal Cultural Relations Public Union
38. Davud Rahimli - Chairman of the Union of Disabled Organizations
39. Irada Rizazade - Chairman of the Public Union "For the Social Welfare of Citizens".
40. Adila Gambarova - resident of Khankendi
41. Arif Taghiyev - resident of Khankendi
42. Habil Ismayilov - resident of Khankendi
43. Suleyman Yusibov - resident of Lachin
44. Elkhan Tahmazov - resident of Lachin
45. Saleh Gasimov - resident of Agdara
46. Bilal Akhundov - resident of Agdara
47. Mahaddin Guliyev - Aghdara resident
48. Ramin Nadirov - resident of Kalbajar
49. Adalat Bakhtiyarov - resident of Kalbajar
50. Zumrud Guliyeva - Aghdam resident
51. Nadya Allahyarova - Aghdam resident
52. Gulnara Ahmadova - resident of Fuzuli
53. Samad Aliyev - resident of Fuzuli
54. Gulali Mammadov - resident of Zangilan
55. Alovsat Tanriverdiyev - resident of Jabrayil
56. Murad Ibishov - resident of Jabrayil
57. Etiraf Gasimov - resident of Zangilan
58. Islam Bayramov - resident of Khojavend
59. Faig Fataliyev - resident of Khankendi
60. Malahat Huseynova - resident of Khojaly
61. Agila Alizade - resident of Shusha
62. Iman Allahverdiyev - resident of Khojaly
63. Arif Aliyev - resident of Khankendi
64. Zamin Hasanov - resident of Khankendi
65. Famil Shukurov – resident of Shusha
66. Yelmar Alasgarov - resident of Shusha
67. Yasin Maharramov - resident of Khankendi
68. Gulnaz Salahova - resident of Khankendi
69. Seymur Nabiyev - resident of Khankendi
70. Tajima Guliyeva - resident of Khankendi
71. Khayyam Allahverdiyev - resident of Khankendi
72. Etibar Abishov - resident of Khojavand
73. Azad Aliyev - resident of Shusha
74. Murad Allahverdiyev - resident of Khojaly
75. Vidadi Aliyev - resident of Khojaly
76. Nizami Balayev - resident of Shusha
77. Alovsat Valiyev - resident of Shusha
78. Fakhraddin Ismayilov - resident of Shusha
79. Shukur Guliyev - resident of Khojavend
80. Roman Guliyev - resident of Khankendi
81. Tubu Ibrahimova - resident of Khankendi
82. Arif Huseynov - resident of Khojavend
83. Muradkhan Guliyev - resident of Khojavend
84. Elchin Dadashov - resident of Khankendi
85. Abulfat Mammadov - resident of Khankendi
86. Guzal Abbasova - resident of Khojaly
87. Minare Bayramova - resident of Khojaly
88. Shukur Ibrahimov - resident of Khojavend
89. Vagif Hasanov - resident of Khojaly
90. Ayanat Mammadov - resident of Khojavand
91. Arif Dostiyev - resident of Shusha
92. Melek Abbasova - resident of Khojaly
93. Elmira Karimova - resident of Khojaly
94. Nazila Maharramova – resident of Shusha
95. Famil Karimov - resident of Shusha
96. Anar Asadov - resident of Khojaly
97. Ravan Hasanov - resident of Khojaly
98. Rahila Rahimova - resident of Shusha
99. Ramil Babayev - resident of Khojavand
100. Bakhtiyar Mammadov - resident of Khojavand
101. Rafik Humbatov - resident of Shusha
102. Rafail Mammadov - resident of Shusha
103. Anar Abdulov - resident of Khojaly
104. Nabi Azimov – resident of Shusha
105. Nargila Iskenderova - resident of Khojavend
106. Zamin Nadirov – resident of Shusha
107. Sahiba Shahmuradova – resident of Khojaly
108. Ramil Gasimov – resident of Shusha
109. Shahnaz Behbudova – resident of Khojaly
110. Seymur Bakhtiyarov - resident of Khankendi
111. Vahid Alakbarov – resident of Shusha
112. Gulnaz Orujova – resident of Khojaly
113. Bakir Mammadov - resident of Khojaly
114. Tahir Jafarov - resident of Khojavand
115. Fatma Huseynova - resident of Khojavend
116. Gamar Mammadova – resident of Shusha
117. Mahir Safarov - resident of Khojaly
118. Malahat Mammadova – resident of Khojaly
119. Rena Azimova – resident of Khojaly
120. Ramiz Hasanov - resident of Shusha
121. Gambar Maharramov - resident of Khankendi
122. Ilham Karimov - resident of Shusha
123. Fakhraddin Asadov - resident of Khojavand
124. Jalal Jamalov - resident of Khojavand
125. Gabil Akbarov – resident of Khojaly
126. Zenfira Alimamadova – resident of Khojaly
127. Surkhay Guliyev - resident of Khojaly
128. Elman Khalilov - resident of Shusha
129. Siraj Malasov - resident of Kalbajar
130. Jeyhun Bakhishov - resident of Kalbajar
131. Hijran Amrahova - resident of Kalbajar
132. Fagan Valiyev – resident of Shusha
133. Yahya Niyazov – resident of Shusha
134. Ganimat Bayramov - resident of Khojaly
135. Elnur Baylarov - resident of Shusha
136. Mohubbat Hasanov - resident of Shusha
137. Elbeniz Huseynov - resident of Khojavand
138. Vasif Aliyev - resident of Khojavend
139. Rovshan Gasimov - resident of Khojavand
140. Hasan Ahmadov - resident of Khojaly
141. Svetlana Javadova – resident of Khojaly
142. Fidan Aliyeva - resident of Khojaly
143. Nushaba Guliyeva – resident of Shusha
144. Alesiya Bahmanova – resident of Shusha
145. Sara Hasanova - resident of Khojavand
146. Sayyara Najafova - resident of Khojavand
147. Fuad Salahov – resident of Shusha
148. Taleh Jabbarov - resident of Khankendi
149. Bulus Guliyev - resident of Khankendi
150. Vagif Hasanov - resident of Shusha
151. Emin Zeynalov – resident of Shusha
152. Ilgar Amirov - resident of Khankendi
153. Ismail Jabrayilov – resident of Shusha
154. Afgan Rzayev - resident of Khankendi
155. Mohubbat Safarov - a resident of Khankendi
156. Avaz Mehraliyev – resident of Shusha
157. Galib Mirzaliyev – a resident of Shusha
158. Nabi Gasimov - resident of Khojavand
159. Rasim Huseynov - resident of Khojavend
160. Fazil Guliyev - resident of Khojaly
161. Adalat Gasimov – resident of Shusha
162. Mahammad Zeynalov – resident of Khojaly
163. Ahliman Guliyev - resident of Khojaly
164. Ramiz Suleymanov - resident of Shusha
165. Mansur Najafov – resident of Khojaly
166. Fikret Abbasov - resident of Khojavand
167. Vahid Abbasov - resident of Khojaly
168. Jamil Rahimova - resident of Khojaly
169. Valeh Allahverdiyev - resident of Shusha
170. Aslan Amirov - resident of Shusha
171. Zahir Usubov - resident of Khojaly
172. Mahira Ismayilova – resident of Khojaly
173. Sakhavat Abbasov - resident of Shusha
174. Mehman Hashimov – resident of Khojaly
175. Geray Hashimov – resident of Khojaly
176. Khatira Jafarova - resident of Khojavand
177. Vasif Hashimov – resident of Shusha
178. Vugar Karimov - resident of Shusha
179. Reza Mammadov - resident of Khojavand
180. Sabuhi Mammadov - resident of Shusha
181. Reyhan Guliyeva - resident of Shusha
182. Novruz Rasulov - resident of Khankendi
183. Muzaffar Gurbanov - resident of Khankendi
184. Sevil Shukurova - resident of Khankendi
185. Elkhan Agayev – resident of Shusha
186. Vagif Agayev – resident of Khojaly
187. Vagif Mammadov – resident of Khojaly
188. Zulfu Guliyev - resident of Khojaly
189. Mazahir Agayev – resident of Khojaly
190. Nadir Mammadov – resident of Khojaly
191. Fazil Guliyev – resident of Khojaly
192. Mahammad Zeynalov – resident of Khojaly
193. Vagif Mammadov – resident of Khojaly
194. Alamshah Huseynov - resident of Shusha
195. Mammad Suleymanov – resident of Shusha
196. Khanimzer Sadygova – resident of Shusha
197. Nazim Mirzayev - resident of Khankendi
198. Inshallah Mahmudov - resident of Khankendi
199. Latafat Guliyeva - resident of Shusha
200. Tajir Ismayilov - resident of Khojaly
201. Adil Azizov – resident of Shusha
202. Mustafa Safarov - resident of Lachin
203. Ulfat Ilyasov - resident of Lachin
204. Rauf Ahmadov - resident of Lachin
205. Mahir Samadov - resident of Agdara
206. Tabib Azizov - resident of Agdara