Ruben not to appeal the Baku court`s decision

ArmInfo.The family of former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan,  previously sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Baku puppet court, announced that the philanthropist has decided not to appeal the court's decision.

"Following the announcement of Ruben Vardanyan's verdict, we are  announcing his position regarding further legal action. Ruben has  decided not to appeal. This decision does not constitute acceptance  of the verdict and does not constitute a waiver of his defense. It is  a conscious refusal to legitimize a process that, from the outset,  lacked the appearance of justice," reads a statement from the  Vardanyan family, published on the businessman's social media.

Vardanyan's family recalled that the proceedings were not a trial,  but a staged event. The hearings were held behind closed doors,  independent observers were not allowed, and petitions were ignored.  "The full text of the verdict was not read out at the court hearing.  At the time of publication of this statement, the family has not been  provided with an official written text of the verdict with a proper  translation-which is another gross violation of procedural rights and  makes it impossible to even formally understand the grounds for the  20-year prison sentence. An appeal only makes sense when there is an  opportunity to correct the errors of the trial court.

But when violations are systemic and affect the fundamental  principles of justice, an appeal becomes yet another tool for  legitimizing unlawful prosecution," Vardanyan's family stated.

At the same time, the philanthropist's family is confident that  filing an appeal under these circumstances would mean admitting that  the trial at least somewhat met the minimum requirements of the law. 

According to them, this is far from the case. "Ruben deliberately  refuses to participate in this sham of a legal process. He rejects  the verdict as a legal act of justice and considers it part of a  politically motivated and unlawful prosecution, which is nothing less  than a denial of justice. A refusal to appeal is not the end of the  struggle, but a refusal to participate in a farce.

We will continue to seek justice through international legal  mechanisms and other international bodies. It is impossible to defend  one's rights within a system that denies the right to a fair trial  from the outset," Vardanyan's family said in a statement.

As a reminder, Vardanyan and seven other former and current Artsakh  officials have been held in Azerbaijani captivity since late  September 2023, in violation of all norms of international law. The  international community ignores the fact that Artsakh officials are  in Azerbaijani captivity.  It should be noted that the exact number  of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons  is still unknown. Experts estimate the number to be several hundred.  Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19  Armenians in their custody. Those held captive by Azerbaijan include  former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik  Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; as well as  parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former commander of the Artsakh  Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and  former state minister Ruben Vardanyan.

In early February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan,  Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon  Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, while Bako  Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.  The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up  to 15 years in prison.