"The charges against Ruben Vardanyan are baseless, initially fabricated, and a result of revenge. Among the 20 articles, there are actions related to forced disappearances, terrorism, and gross violations of international humanitarian law," said the head of the International and Comparative Law Center, human rights defender, and representative of Armenian prisoners' interests at the European Court of Human Rights, Siranush Sahakyan, in an interview with Satik Seyranian on 168.am's Pressing program.
Ruben Vardanyan's defense team recently announced that Azerbaijani prosecutors have presented a new, extensive package of approximately 45 potential charges against the former Prime Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan. These charges carry the prospect of a life sentence. The allegations pertain to 20 different articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The fabricated evidence is presented in a 100-volume case file, totaling nearly 25,000 pages, all in Azerbaijani.
According to Siranush Sahakyan, the situation surrounding Ruben Vardanyan is a political process, and the Artsakh military-political leadership will not be exempt from facing similar charges. "The fact that the charges have not been translated and the materials are provided only in Azerbaijani already indicates that there can be no talk of a fair trial. The defense team and Ruben Vardanyan are not being provided with the materials of the charges, under the pretext that they contain state and military secrets. The only solution here is the international community, whose intervention is necessary to ensure that only under the conditions of an open and public trial can the numerous violations being committed in Baku against our prisoners of war be revealed."
"Based on the information we've received, the Armenian hostages held in Baku are experiencing severe psychological distress and also have health problems. They are not speaking and are avoiding interactions. We view this as unusual behavior, which may either be the result of coercion or related to their health condition, and they may be refraining from speaking to avoid causing their families distress," said Siranush Sahakyan in an interview with Satik Seyranian.
In response to Nikol Pashinyan's statement, in which he raises questions about Ruben Vardanyan's identity, Siranush Sahakyan stated that the remarks are political and have no relevance to the legal processes. "We are dealing with irrelevant statements that have had, and will continue to have, direct consequences. Immediately following those questions raised by Pashinyan in the National Assembly, Ruben Vardanyan was interrogated by Azerbaijani investigative authorities, and those very questions posed by Pashinyan became the subject of examination by Azerbaijan. Such questions are inappropriate for the simple reason that the state has an obligation to repatriate its citizens. There is a contradiction between Pashinyan's statements and the actions of the Republic of Armenia, as the Armenian government is representing Ruben Vardanyan's interests in the European Court," the lawyer emphasized.
During the interview, there was also discussion about the 2018 revolution and its political and legal consequences, the "Peace Treaty," the external and internal consensus regarding the surrender of Artsakh, the detention of Armen Ashotyan, the processes related to Gurgen Margaryan, and other related topics.
Siranush Sahakyan emphasized that Azerbaijan is acting in a mirror-like manner. "If the issue of the 1915 Armenian Genocide exists, Azerbaijan invents the Khojaly genocide in contrast to it. If there is Western Armenia, they fabricate the thesis of 'Western Azerbaijan'... Any statements by high-ranking Armenian officials supporting Azerbaijani theses must be absolutely unacceptable. Every Armenian, regardless of their citizenship or place of residence, is part of the claim to the International Court of Justice. Therefore, Armenia's withdrawal of claims against Azerbaijan will have an impact on all Armenians worldwide. This position is clearly expressed in our claim as well."
According to the human rights defender, respect is earned by the strong, and who is considered strong is determined by the outcome of the struggle. "Strength is not a gift granted to any nation or state by divine will. In international relations, no state desires to enter into alliance with weak or failed states. Defeat can prefigure a new victory, if there is a desire to fight. The unwillingness to fight can never be valued."