Ruben Vardanyan's son David Vardanyan answered the questions of the AYPFM Armenian Radio in France. Below is the interview with some reductions.
- To the beginning of the so-called trial, your father, Ruben Vardanyan went on a bold step and said that all of us thought that this launched trial was fully falsified by false documents and a reality. What can we really expect from this trial?
Many organizations, such as Freedom House, have declared Doctors without Borders, Azerbaijan as one of the world's most illegal countries, so we have no high hopes for this "trial." For example, last month my father received the documents in Azerbaijani, he had only three weeks to get acquainted with the factor of more than twenty thousand pages, the Azerbaijani government.
I don't know what happens in the case of others, we know that my father's work is being investigated separately from others, but I think it's the same situation. Azerbaijan is not even a free country for its citizens, especially for Armenians.
However, we have felt that your father is guarded, wants to defend his position, to raise everything that happened in Artsakh to protect the people of Artsakh. Do you have the feeling that he will use this trial as a platform?
- Despite all personal threats against Torture and Baku, he said that the issue of the rights of the people of Artsakh is very important for himself, he is fighting. He says that despite all the dangers, he wants to tell the truth.
On January 17, on the first day of the trial, he offered the commemoration of all victims of the conflict for a minute of silence, regardless of nationality. Despite the situation, my father wants to say that the only choice we have without war in the world, and to understand each other and mutually understand each other.
- It is clear that this trial will be biased, and that the verdict does not initially doubt, as Azerbaijan wants to take revenge on Artsakh. But what can be expected from France or Europe to get to the release of these prisoners of war?
- You have noticed that this trial is not a normal, open trial, there is no justice system in Azerbaijan. That is why the only protection of Armenian prisoners of war can be the actions of the governments of the international community and democratic countries. For example, my father told me that his lawyer could not properly prepare his defense.
That's why Azerbaijan should demand that the trial is open, French, English, American journalists should be able to go to Azerbaijan, to attend these sittings and hear what it really takes there, because despite the "open trial". Only Azerbaijani state media is participating in it. The second may be the call of the French government to talk more about these injustices of Azerbaijan and put pressure on the European Union to stop all transactions with Azerbaijan.
It is not only the issue of Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is also a matter of Azerbaijan's attitude towards its own citizens. There are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, and if Azerbaijan is allowed to deal with Armenian prisoners of war, I am confident that the country will do more against Armenia, French and European tourists.
- Azerbaijan says France is already next to Armenia. And in addition to France, who can put pressure on Azerbaijan and Ilham Aliyev? For example, you expect something from the new US President Donald Trump. Do you think that his intervention can lead to some change?
- We had many expectations from the former president of the United States regarding the genocide. He promised many things to Armenians, but he did not much. They were only words that did not follow. We now have hopes for the new US administration.
Donald Trump wrote that he would defend the rights of the Christian Christians of Nagorno Karabakh, and we have seen that some of the friends of Armenia and the Armenian people were part of the new administration.
I know that the issue of human rights, especially Christians, is very important for them, that's why we are hopeful that this administration and President Trump can help Armenian prisoners of war on these issues.
- If the verdict is not favorable, there is actually a little chance that it will be favorable if you plan to apply to international courts to raise their release at the level of international courts.
- The only thing I can say now is that we will continue to work to achieve that the Azerbaijani government is respected the rights of Armenians. It is very important, but these steps without international political support cannot be effective.
