Before the trial, Ruben Vardanyan, who is illegally detained in Baku prison, conveyed a message during a telephone conversation with his family, asking to make it public.
The message of Ruben Vardanyan, a political prisoner illegally held in Baku prison.
"I want to appeal to the international community, to people who are not indifferent to what is happening in our region and want lasting and real peace.
I, Ruben Vardanyans, 2023 I have been in solitary confinement for more than 470 days since September 27. I have spent 340 of those days in solitary confinement. Before the trial, I would like to convey the following statement , I have exhausted all other means of bringing you the truth about what is happening here.
I have a court hearing scheduled for January 17th at 3:00 PM.I was told that I face 42 charges, some of which carry up to life in prison.
But until now I have not been given the opportunity to get acquainted with the official indictment. My lawyer and I have only been allowed to look through the 422-volume criminal case file in Azerbaijani, which I do not speak, and a fairly short period of time has been allocated for it: 2024. from December 9 to 2025 January 8.
I received the list of articles with which I am accused in Russian only in 2025. on January 8.
At the same time, pressure was put on me, my lawyer and the translator to get us to sign documents in retrospect, including false transcripts of interrogations that never took place.
I officially announce the following. Since the first day of my arrest, I have not given any testimony, except for the first interrogation, during which I simply stated my name. All the records with my signature are fake. Those documents don't really exist. My lawyer and translator were forced to put their signatures on those documents.
I once again declare and insist on my absolute innocence, the innocence of my compatriots, and demand an immediate end to this politicized case against us.
Despite our innocence and the political motivations of the case, it is very likely that the accusers will ignore my statement and proceed with the trial.
1. To give me and my lawyer the opportunity to fully prepare for the defense.
2. To eliminate the violations and falsifications committed, in particular, to declare inadmissible all false documents and records of interrogations that were never conducted, since I have not given any testimony since the day of my arrest.
3. The trial against me and all the other accused should be held in public.
4. Combine my case with the cases of the other accused. More than 400 volumes of my case are common cases. Only 6 of them are related to the false accusations against me. It is an artificial and unjustified decision.
I feel neither malice nor hatred, on the contrary, I sincerely sympathize with all those who violate the law, moral principles and commandments of the Koran.
I am sure that real peace will be possible only when the leaders of the countries involved in the conflict, with the approval of their societies, will be able to lay flowers together on the graves of all those who died in this war.
I promise to do everything possible to make this happen in my lifetime. As the great Mahatma Gandhi said, the only way to save the world from self-destruction is to live on the principles of non-violence, truth and love. We can achieve true peace through compassion for all people, regardless of their skin colour, nationality or creed.
Thank you all for your support. I love you all and I am grateful for your kindness.
Know that I am strong, I endure, and I believe that the truth will prevail."
Ruben Vardanyan
