Azerbaijani court sentences Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison

ArmInfo.An Azerbaijani puppet court has sentenced former Artsakh state minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. Vardanyan,  captured by Azerbaijan in late September 2023 after the forcible subjugation of Artsakh, is accused by Azerbaijani occupation forces of crimes "against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other serious crimes."

Vardanyan, deprived of any opportunity for justice or a proper  defense of his rights, denies his guilt.  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 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 remains unknown. 

Experts estimate the number to be several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani  authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody.  Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are 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, and Bako  Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called  court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in  prison.