Ruben Vardanyan Explains Reasons for Abandoning Defense Through Family Statement

Ruben Vardanyan has conveyed his reasons for abandoning his defense through his family, explaining the absence of conditions for the lawyer's professional work and violations of legal norms.

Vardanyan's statement is presented below:

“During the court session on October 21, I announced my decision to refuse the services of my attorney, Abraham Bermani. This was a forced decision. The gross violations of international legal norms, as well as Azerbaijan's own procedural code, have turned these hearings into an obvious farce. Under these circumstances, all procedural opportunities for defense have been exhausted.

1. I was never allowed to familiarize myself with the materials of the case and the indictment. Access to the materials has been denied up to this moment; I am unable to review the 422 volumes of my case, and the court has not provided an official translation of the essential procedural documents.
2. I have not been given the opportunity to defend myself in court. I lacked the ability to exchange documents with my attorney without restrictions and prior scrutiny to prepare for court sessions, and I was denied access to audio and video materials presented as evidence of my guilt.
3. All my motions have been ignored by investigative bodies and the court. Important requests from my attorney, which were necessary for a fair trial, have also gone unanswered.
4. Another reason for my refusal to continue with my attorney was the court's rejection of calls for witnesses who could clarify the circumstances of the case and confirm facts significant for the defense. The court denied this motion, ultimately depriving the process of any semblance of objectivity and fairness.

Over time, the situation has only deteriorated. In the theater of absurdity, the role of the attorney, regardless of his desires and efforts, is limited solely to ensuring the formal legality of this process. I refuse to participate in this farce. I do not need the illusion of defense; I demand the real protection of my procedural rights.”