David Vardanyan calls for freeing Armenian captives

PanARMENIAN.Net - The only path to real peace is the release of all hostages held in Azerbaijan, David Vardanyan, son of former Artsakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, said in an interview with France 24.

Ruben Vardanyan, a well-known businessman and philanthropist sentenced to 20 years in prison, decided not to appeal the verdict in Azerbaijan after consulting with his son by phone, given what they described as the biased and one-sided stance of the Azerbaijani court, Panorama.am reported.

“As you know, and as Amnesty International has also emphasized, the mere fact that a civilian like him, who has never held a military position, was tried by a military tribunal contradicts all international norms. My father’s international lawyers were unable to communicate with him for two and a half years throughout the entire pretrial detention period. Numerous other gross violations of both international and Azerbaijani law were allowed. All this shows that what took place was not a real trial but a political show intended for a domestic audience and possibly certain external observers. This was certainly not a fair and lawful proceeding, which is why my father refused to participate in it,” he said.

Asked about Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks ruling out pardons, Vardanyan said such statements were deeply troubling, particularly given references comparing the situation to Nuremberg and fascism.

“For your viewers, it is also important to note that Azerbaijan is making accusations against the Aurora initiative, a humanitarian prize co-founded not only by my father but also by such renowned philanthropists as the late Elie Wiesel, Vartan Gregorian and others. Azerbaijan is calling the foundation behind this award a terrorist organization.

These are very serious allegations that remain unsubstantiated. We, of course, hope that this conflict will ultimately be resolved. In the end, what we — Azerbaijanis, Armenians and everyone — want is real and lasting peace in the region. I believe the only way to achieve that is to release all hostages, return them home, genuinely normalize relations between the countries and heal the wounds of the past,” Vardanyan said.

He also addressed the possible role of the United States.

“The Trump administration’s genuine and substantial efforts to resolve this decades-long conflict are commendable. It is also very important what President Trump said on August 8, when he told Prime Minister Pashinyan that 23 Armenian Christian hostages were being held in Baku at that time and that he would help on this issue as well. Vice President Vance raised the matter during his visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan and confirmed it in meetings with both leaders. I believe the Trump administration also understands that releasing the hostages is essential to normalizing relations.

I sincerely hope Armenia and Azerbaijan can achieve real and lasting peace. But without goodwill, a signed document is just paper. You may recall the famous image of Neville Chamberlain — paper means nothing without real and tangible actions,” he said.

Responding to a question about Moscow and whether it is exerting pressure, Vardanyan said his father and the other detainees are Armenian citizens.

“You raise an important point. Ultimately, it is the fundamental responsibility and obligation of the Armenian government to ensure the release of all these captives. We are talking not only about my father, but also about the other 18 Armenian hostages unlawfully held, as well as clarifying the fate of missing persons. I hope that one of the key players in the region will help resolve this issue, but in the end it is the supreme responsibility of the Armenian government to ensure that its citizens return home safely,” he said.

He also spoke about his father’s message.

“Despite all the difficulties and challenges and the conditions he has faced over the past 860 days, he remains very optimistic. He always tells us not to lose hope and to stay true to our principles. He is doing exactly that despite all the pressure he has faced and continues to face. Under such a burden it is easy to abandon the conviction that Armenia and Azerbaijan must coexist in a truly lasting peace based on mutual respect. But my father remains committed to his principles and urges us not to give in to fear and to continue defending the truth, no matter what happens and however difficult it may be. He remains optimistic, harbors no anger toward anyone and sincerely hopes that Armenia and Azerbaijan, as neighbors, will find a way to coexist,” David Vardanyan said.

A court in Baku sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. Amnesty International described the verdict as a mockery of justice. Jared Genser called on U.S. President Donald Trump to fulfill his public promise to help secure the release of Armenian detainees.