ARF launched information platforms to raise awareness about  trials  of Armenian hostages in Baku

ArmInfo. The Central Office of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun  (ARF) has launched information sites www.freearmenianhostages.net and  www.freearmenianhostages.am in anticipation of the expected trial of  Armenian hostages in Baku. These sites aim to raise awareness in both  Armenian and English about the fabricated trials being held against  Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan, including the military-political  leadership of the Republic of Artsakh. 

According to the ARF statement, these sources can be useful as a  repository of information for both Armenian and foreign organizations  involved in protecting the rights of Armenian prisoners of war  illegally held in Azerbaijan. The source says that thanks to the work  of ARF committees and offices,  responses have been obtained from  various international structures addressing the authorities of  Azerbaijan and the international community regarding a fair trial,  full respect of rights and the release of the military-political  leadership of Artsakh held in Baku, as well as Armenian hostages and  prisoners of war in general.

Recall that on January 17,  the Baku Military Court, chaired by   Judge Zeynal Agayev, began considering the "indictment" against   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 Commander of the Defense Army General Levon  Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former State Minister Ruben  Vardanyan.  On January 16, Vardanyan issued a statement demanding  that he and his lawyer be given the opportunity to fully prepare for  their defense; eliminate all violations and falsifications committed;  and make his trial and that of all the other defendants 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 tribunal,  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.