Trump administration to take hardline stance against Aliyev over  Armenian POWs - American lawyer

ArmInfo. Jared Genser, an American lawyer for the world-famous businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, who is unjustly imprisoned and illegally convicted, said that the Trump  administration will take a hardline stance against Aliyev over  Armenian detainees, the Armenian Global Community reports.

Genser emphasized that these trials are part of a broader campaign to  dismantle Artsakh's leadership, suppress self-determination efforts,  and erase Armenian cultural heritage in the region.  According to  Genser, Donald Trump's return to the White House marks a turning  point. He expressed confidence that in the administration's  willingness to adopt tougher policies toward Azerbaijan, including  potential sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Genser highlighted  Trump's prior condemnation of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, suggesting  a continuity of focus under his leadership.

While optimism about the US involvement, Genser voiced disappointment  in the Armenian government's limited efforts to advocate for  Vardanyan and other detainees. He called for Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan to take a more active role in rallying international  support.  For the Armenian diaspora, Genser urged specific steps:  writing op-eds and engaging with  media to amplify awareness;  partnering with human rights organizations to pressure  governments  and  institutions; collaborating with other persecuted communities to  foster global solidarity.  "This is a fight for universal human  rights," Genser emphasized, stating that this is not just about  Armenians, but also about the fundamental right to dignity and  freedom.

Recall that on January 17, the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge  Zeynal Aghayev, began considering the "indictment" against  former  leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. The accused include  Ruben Vardanyan and  three former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh: Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako  Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan. Also facing the court are former  Foreign Minister David Babayan, Speaker of the Parliament David  Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Defense Army General Levon  Mnatsakanyan, and General David Manukyan. On January 16, Vardanyan  issued a statement demanding the opportunity to fully prepare for the  defense, elimination of all violations and falsifications, and a  public trial for himself and other accused. "I insist on an open  trial with the participation of international journalists and  representatives of humanitarian organizations. I am convinced that  only a real court, and not a trial, will help take a step forward on  the difficult path of building new relations between our peoples," he  emphasized.