Political prisoner, RPA Vice Chairman Armen Ashotyan, during a traditional Q&A with 168.am at the end of the regular court hearing in his case, addressed the issues facing Armenia’s domestic and foreign policy, including the “bill” on membership in the European Union (EU) presented in the National Assembly by Nikol Pashinyan and pro-government civil initiative organizations, people’s parties, and their pro-Western units, and its postponement.
Many people have asked how Armenia can help secure the release of these Armenian Christians detained in Azerbaijan given there are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In fact, there is much more that can be done by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan:
These days mark the 37th anniversary of the mass massacres of Armenians in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait on February 27–29, 1988.
A crime that has a precise legal classification in full accordance with the criteria of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It was indeed genocide, committed over three days without hindrance and with impunity in a city located just 25 kilometers from the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.
We are writing to you with deep concern regarding the health condition of Ruben Vardanyan, who has been on a hunger strike for over a week while being held in a Baku prison, as well as the situation of other Armenian political prisoners who are being illegally prosecuted in Azerbaijan.
Ruben Vardanyan and all our other hostages and captives are being brutally tortured through fabricated Azerbaijani trials, aimed at fulfilling the Azerbaijani authorities’ thirst for revenge, resolving political issues, asserting their power at the expense of the Armenian people’s dignity, undermining our national consciousness, and deepening tension and division among us. These “trials” are necessary […]
The Genesis Armenia Think Tank/Foundation strongly condemns the prosecution and potential life imprisonment attempt against Ruben Vardanyan by the authorities in Baku.
“If we do not stand up now, we are putting future generations of Armenians at risk”: Ruben Vardanyan’s Son Calls for Action
It is critical that Armenian voters reject the new constitution. A no vote is a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. He can no longer continue to remain in his position after having been rejected by the people on his key initiative. He will have no choice but to resign.
This so-called ‘trial’ is not just against me. It is an attempt to criminalize all Armenians – all those who supported and demonstrated compassion toward Artsakh and its people, all those who showed compassion. This is an attack on an entire nation. I refuse to participate in this farce.
