However, on July 14, Pashinyan’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, contradicted both Safaryan and Badalyan: “Such a proposal is not acceptable to the Republic of Armenia … [which] has not discussed, and is not considering, outsourcing control over its sovereign territory to any third party.” She added: “Armenian law only allows leasing of agricultural land for farming, rendering Ambassador [Barrack]’s proposal legally unfeasible.”
“In order also to reach out to peace, we have to make a distinction between freedom of expression deprivation in a national framework or in an international framework, a national framework, it depends, always by the government. So it’s a decision what kind of behaviors or statements are denied and what not. So what we can do in this case is to create dialog with institutions and also create dialog between international organizations and governments, or between governments.”
The defendants have two paths forward. They can wait for a future, independent Armenian court to restore their rights once Pashinyan leaves office. Or, if convicted, they can appeal the verdicts to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Karapetyan’s legal team announced last week that they are already preparing such an appeal to the ECHR, hoping the court in Strasbourg will overturn the unjust Armenian ruling. The only problem is that ECHR proceedings can take years, unless it is handled on an emergency basis.
The 26th session of the judicial farce against Ruben Vardanyan will continue today at the Baku Military Court.
The cumulative procedural violations outlined above demonstrate unequivocally that Mr Ruben Vardanyan has not been afforded a fair opportunity to defend himself before a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal. He has been denied access to essential case materials, stripped of his fundamental procedural rights, and isolated from international observation and support.
Dr. Pietro Shakarian, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of History at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg and a returning lecturer at the American University of Armenia, responded to Prime Minister Pashinyan’s statement that he sees “no problem” with Turkey potentially pursuing the idea of Greater Turan. Shakarian recalled key historical events, emphasizing that the concept behind the “Turan” project originates from the goal of permanently exterminating the Armenian people from their historical homeland.
Karapetyan’s only ‘sin’ was defending the Catholicos and the Armenian Church against Pashinyan’s unwarranted attacks. A subservient judge sentenced this innocent man to a preliminary two months in prison.
“The World Council of Churches stands in solidarity with the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose historic witness and enduring role have long contributed to the spiritual life and resilience of the Armenian nation and the global Christian fellowship,” said Pillay. “At this important juncture, we urge all stakeholders to act with responsibility, sensitivity, and a shared commitment to the values that uphold dignity, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.”
This is how the foundations of the rule of law are destroyed; the checks and balances — mechanisms of a democratic state — no longer function. As a result, everyone, including bodies that should be independent from the government, ends up serving one person and one party.
Instead of trying to resolve Armenian’s existential threats, Pashinyan is busy writing vulgar Facebook posts and attacking the Armenian Church and clergy. It is he, not the Catholicos, who should resign.
