Baku: In response to the US Lemkin Institute's call for President Donald Trump to pressure Azerbaijan into releasing Armenian-origin individuals accused of war crimes, Azerbaijani NGOs addressed an open letter to Trump on December 25, 2025, APA reports. The call from the Lemkin Institute coincided with Christmas Day and included individuals like Ruben Vardanyan.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, prior to this, on December 23, 2025, the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum had sent an open letter to the Lemkin Institute, accusing it of supporting revanchist groups in Armenia and attempting to disrupt the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Forum criticized the Lemkin Institute for ignoring mass atrocities such as the Khojaly genocide and betraying its mission, urging the organization to apologize to the Azerbaijani public.

The letter to Trump emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to justice and transparency in handling the trials of individuals, including Ruben Vardanyan, charged with crimes against humanity during the decades-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The NGOs refuted claims of religious persecution, highlighting Azerbaijan's secular nature and harmony among religious communities.

The letter praised Trump's leadership in fostering peace in the South Caucasus, citing the Washington Joint Declaration of August 8, 2025, as a pivotal moment. The Azerbaijani civil society leaders expressed their support for Trump's peace efforts, urging him to disregard the Lemkin Institute's campaign and continue supporting the region's peace-building initiatives.