Show trials of Armenian prisoners insults Armenians` national dignity  - AAC Artsakh diocese 

ArmInfo. The show trial against 16 Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Baku, first of all, insults the national dignity of Armenians. This is stated in the statement of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

"Regardless of political views and personal convictions, we must  realize that the military-political leadership of Artsakh and all the  hostages are accused primarily of acting in the interests of the  independence and Armenians of Artsakh. This fabricated trial, first  of all, insults our national dignity," the diocese noted.

The Artsakh Diocese drew attention to the fact that this trial  pursues exclusively political goals and serves as another indicator  of the behavior dictated by the political leadership of Baku,  contrary to fundamental human rights and internationally recognized  norms regarding prisoners.

In addition, the statement notes that in the context of the obvious  ineffectiveness of the efforts of the political elite of Armenia and  the determination of the Azerbaijani authorities, it is necessary to  demonstrate unity and determination in the name of protecting a fair  trial for the Armenian hostages.

"We invite you to ask the Almighty God to open the doors of his  justice and mercy for our nation, as well as to give strength to our  compatriots in captivity to overcome these difficult trials and  persecutions," the conclusion says.

Today, January 17, under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, the  Baku Military Court will consider the "indictment" against the former  leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. Among the accused are three former  presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh: Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and  Arayik Harutyunyan. Also appearing before the court will be former  Foreign Minister David Babayan, Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan,  former Defense Army Commander General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General  David Manukyan and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

The day before, Vardanyan made a statement in which he demanded that  he and his lawyer be given the opportunity to fully prepare for their  defense; that all violations and falsifications be eliminated; that  his trial and that of all the other defendants be made public. "I  insist on a maximally open trial with the participation of  international journalists and representatives of humanitarian  organizations. I am convinced that only a real court, not a trial,  will help take a step forward on the difficult path of building new  relations between our peoples," he emphasized. In conclusion, he  demanded that his case be combined with the cases of the other  defendants. "More than 400 volumes of my case out of 422 are episodes  of a common case.  Separating my case into a separate proceeding is  an artificial and unfounded decision," Vardanyan added.