Armenian political prisoner Ruben Vardanyan`s health in danger 

ArmInfo.The health of  Armenian political prisoner, former state minister of Artsakh,  philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan is in danger in Azerbaijan. Despite  the sharp deterioration of Vardanyan's condition a week after the  start of his hunger strike, Azerbaijan is forcing him to attend the  trial. This is stated in a statement by Ruben Vardanyan's  international lawyer Jared Genser.

"A week ago, Ruben Vardanyan went on a hunger strike in protest  against the political show trial against him and other Armenian  political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Vardanyan's trial began on January  17, after approximately 500 days in prison. He faces life  imprisonment on politically motivated charges. In addition, Ruben has  faced egregious violations of his rights," the statement says.

Genser noted that Vardanyan's trial continued on February 25, despite  his worsening condition and a request for a delay. "Ruben has been on  a hunger strike for a week now, which has had a severe impact on his  health. At the moment, he has lost 6 kg of his weight, his pulse is  off the charts and his blood pressure is high. Vardanyan is  experiencing severe dizziness and is in a pre-fainting state.

Despite serious medical problems, Ruben still appeared before the  panel of judges of the Baku Military Court. Given his condition, the  defense lawyer filed a motion to postpone the hearing, and the panel  of judges allowed a break so that Ruben could be examined by a state  doctor," the lawyer emphasized.

He noted that the panel of judges rejected the motion to postpone the  hearing, stating that Vardanyan should be present at the hearings,  taking into account that he has the opportunity to be in a sitting  position during them.

Genser believes that forcing Ruben to participate in this trial,  given the serious threats to his health, constitutes disregard for  international law, as well as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment  of defendants.

"I call on international human rights organizations that have access  to prisoners in Azerbaijan to urgently visit Ruben Vardanyan. In  addition, I ask independent observers to be present at the trial in  Baku to record any violations of rights. I ask the Azerbaijani  government to allow a doctor from our international team to visit  Ruben in the pre-trial detention center to provide the necessary  medical care, including regular monitoring of the condition he needs  during the hunger strike, and to postpone the trial until its  completion.  I also call on world leaders and Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan to condemn the illegal trial against Ruben and other  Armenian political prisoners," the lawyer emphasized.

on January 17, under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, the  Baku Military Court began considering 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, Speaker of the Parliament  David Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Defense Army General Levon  Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former State Minister Ruben  Vardanyan.

On January 16, 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  the trial of him and all the other accused 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, and 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 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.

After a number of Vardanyan's petitions were rejected during the  trial, he went on a hunger strike.