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.
If the responsible state officials of RA proceed with those violations of its obligations under the Agreement and international law, it will face international arbitration proceedings and be ordered to pay full compensation.
The Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) within The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA launched last week a ground-breaking project enabling Armenians to seek restitution of their properties confiscated by the Turkish government during and after the Genocide.
