Ruben Vardanyan announces hunger strike to protest Baku trial

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan has announced that he is launching a hunger strike to protest the judicial farce unfolding in Baku. He made this statement in a phone call with his family, which was later published on his Facebook page.

"Yesterday, I decided to express my protest through a hunger strike against the judicial farce imposed on me. This is my response to the gross violations of international law and Azerbaijan’s procedural norms. What is happening in the courtroom cannot be called a trial—it is a political show where my right to a fair hearing is openly disregarded," Vardanyan’s statement reads.

He noted that over the past month, his lawyer, Abraham Berman, had repeatedly attempted to ensure that the court proceedings were objective rather than a mere imitation of justice.

Vardanyan emphasized that the entire process is taking place solely because he exercised his internationally recognized rights to free expression and political participation in defense of the rights of Artsakh’s Armenians.

"Despite Azerbaijan being a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the trial is being conducted with gross violations of all applicable legal norms and procedures."

Vardanyan outlined the major violations in his case:

-His case is being heard in military rather than a civil court.

-He has not had full access to the indictment and case materials; he was given only 21 working days to review 422 volumes of documents written in Azerbaijani.

-The indictment is not an official document, as it lacks prosecutors’ signatures, and translation errors obstruct his understanding of the charges.

-He has been deprived of the right to a proper defense: his lawyer, Abraham Berman, has limited access to case files, documents are confiscated, and psychological pressure is exerted on him. Additionally, his international legal team has been denied the right to communicate with him or review the case materials.

-He is not allowed to call defense witnesses or file complaints regarding procedural violations during the pre-trial and trial phases.

-All hearings are held in secret, excluding public access. International journalists and observers are barred from attending.

Vardanyan declared that the trial is not only directed against him personally but against all Armenians who have supported Artsakh and its people.

"I refuse to participate in this farce," he stated.

He appealed to the international community, world leaders, human rights defenders, and the media, urging them to pay attention to this case.

"This process demands your attention. The imitation of justice is an attempt to justify lawlessness and injustice. Ignoring such violations paves the way for future tragedies, fueling new waves of hostility and hatred. Only truth, law, and humanism can bring justice and peace to the region," Vardanyan’s statement concluded.

Earlier, Siranush Sahakyan, a lawyer representing Armenian captives at the European Court of Human Rights, shared details of Vardanyan’s trial. She reported that the fabricated case includes 422 volumes in Azerbaijani. Furthermore, the court-assigned translator failed to provide an accurate verbal translation, making critical errors that hinder understanding of the charges.

In late December 2024, Vardanyan’s case was transferred to the Baku Military Court. He had previously stated that Azerbaijani investigators falsified interrogation records and demanded an open trial with international journalists and humanitarian organizations present.

His case is being heard separately. He faces around 45 new charges under 20 articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, with a possible life sentence. On January 27, the court rejected his request for house arrest.