Ruben Vardanyan makes a statement from the dungeons of Baku dynastic  regime

ArmInfo.The famous philanthropist, businessman, and former head of the government of the Republic of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently being held illegally as a political prisoner behind the walls of a Baku prison, made a statement today. The statement was distributed on his Facebook page. It reads:

"I would like to address the global community, to those who care  about what is happening in our region, those opposed to religious  persecution worldwide and those who wish for a lasting and genuine  peace.  I, Ruben Vardanyan, have been detained at the Detention  Center of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan  since September 27, 2023 - more than 470 days in total, including 340  days in solitary confinement and 23 days in a punishment cell. I  would like to make an official statement before the start of the  trial. If you are reading these words, it means that I have exhausted  all other means to convey the truth about what is happening here.  A  court hearing of my case is scheduled for January 17 at 3:00 PM. I  have been informed that I am facing 42 charges, some of which carry  sentences up to life imprisonment. However, I have not been granted  the opportunity to fully review the official indictment. My lawyer  and I were merely allowed to skim through 422 volumes of the case  files, all written solely in the Azerbaijani language, which I do not  understand, within a very short timeframe - from December 9, 2024, to  January 8, 2025. I only received the list of charges in Russian on  January 8, 2025.  Moreover, pressure has been exerted on me, my  lawyer, and my interpreter to force us to backdate and sign  documents, including falsified protocols and records of  interrogations that never took place.

I officially declare: I have given no testimony since the day of my  arrest, except during the first interrogation, where I only stated my  name and surname. Let me reiterate: all protocols bearing my  signature are falsifications. These documents do not exist in  reality. My lawyer and interpreter were coerced into signing these  documents.  I once again reiterate and state my complete innocence  and the innocence of my Armenian compatriots also being held as  political prisoners and demand an immediate end to this politically  motivated case against us.  Despite our innocence and the political  motivation of this trial, it is most likely that the prosecutor will  ignore my plea and pursue a trial against us, in which case I demand  and ask for your support in ensuring that I am afforded the  following:  1. Allow me and my lawyer adequate time and opportunity  to prepare for my defense. In particular, provide us with the  opportunity to thoroughly review the case materials in a language I  understand.  2. Eliminate all procedural violations and  falsifications. Specifically, deem inadmissible all falsified  documents and records of interrogations that never took place, as I  have not provided any testimony since the day of my arrest.  3. Make  my trial, and those of the Armenian political prisoners, public. I  insist on the most open trial possible, with the participation of  international journalists and representatives of humanitarian  organizations.  4. Consolidate my case with the cases of the others  accused. More than 400 of the 422 volumes in my case concern episodes  from the general case of which only 6 are specifically related to  false accusations against me. Separating my case into a separate  proceeding is an artificial and unfounded decision.  I bear no anger  or hatred. On the contrary, I genuinely empathize with all those who  violate laws, moral principles, and the teachings of the Quran and  other holy texts.  I am convinced that true peace will only be  possible when the leaders of the countries involved in the conflict,  with the support of their societies, can come together to lay flowers  on the graves of all those who perished in this war.

I promise to do everything possible to ensure this happens during my  lifetime. As the great Mahatma Gandhi said, the only way to save the  world from self-destruction is to live by the principles of  nonviolence, truth, and love. Through compassion for all people,  regardless of their skin color, nationality, or religion, we can  achieve true peace.  Thank you all for your support! I love and thank  you all for your kindness toward me. Know that I am standing strong  and believe that the truth will prevail."

Recall that on January 17, the Baku Military Court will begin  hearings on Armenian prisoners of war, which includes the political  leadership of the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh: Arkady Ghukasyan,  Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben  Vardanyan, former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army David  Manukyan, former Commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan and  former NKR Foreign Minister David Babayan. It is worth mentioning  former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's reaction to this "trial" .  "The fabricated accusations of Azerbaijan against the former military  and political leadership of the occupied Artsakh  cover the crimes   committed against the people of Nagorno- Karabakh, including the  prisoners. Stalin is dead, but Aliyev is learning from him, using  show trials to attack his enemies. This is exactly what is happening  in Azerbaijan now," Ocampo said.