Marie Struthers, Director of Eastern Europe and Central Asia of Amnesty International, responding to the start of the trial of Ruben Vardanyan, former Minister of State of Nagorno Karabakh, stated that Azerbaijan should protect and ensure the rights of Ruben Vardanyan to a fair trial.
This is stated in the message published on the organization's website.
"Azerbaijani authorities claim that they brought Ruben Vardanyan to court to make him accountable for the crimes he is accused of. But by depriving him of the rights to a fair trial, they are doing the exact opposite of justice. The authorities must protect and ensure the rights of Ruben Vardanyan to a fair trial," said Marie Struthers.
He added that Ruben Vardanyan raised serious allegations of human rights violations, including ill-treatment during detention, coercion to sign falsified case materials, and denial of the opportunity to prepare a defense.
"The authorities must immediately, thoroughly, independently, impartially and effectively investigate these serious allegations and bring to justice those who are considered responsible for all of this," the statement said.
In his opinion, the Azerbaijani authorities should provide Ruben Vardanyan with full access to contact his lawyers, as well as enough time and opportunity to prepare his defense.
"The international community should carefully follow this sensational case in order to ensure Ruben Vardanyan's right to a fair trial and justice," said Marie Struthers, Director of Eastern Europe and Central Asia of Amnesty International.
Azerbaijan has illegally arrested and falsely accused the former presidents of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, a member of the National Assembly of Nagorno Karabakh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Davit Babayan, former Minister of Defense Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Manukyan, former state minister Ruben Vardanyan.
Vasili Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, Davit Alahverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan, Melikset Pashayan were also falsely accused.
The fabricated criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan was separated from the case of the others, the trial was held separately.
The court session in the case of Ruben Vardanyan and the other fabricated defendants was held on January 17. The next court hearing against Vardanyan will take place on January 27, and the court hearing against the other defendants will take place on January 21.
