Ruben Vardanian's Public Defender is Azerbaijani

Today, the sham trial against former Artsakh Prime Minister, businessman, and philanthropist Ruben Vardanian continued in Baku. According to Azerbaijani media reports, the Azerbaijani Bar Association has appointed a new defender for Vardanian, Emil Babishov, to whom Vardanian has not objected.

The presiding judge announced that necessary conditions would be created for the new lawyer and additional time would be given to meet with Vardanian in isolation and familiarize himself with the materials of the criminal case.

The trial has been postponed until November 4, allowing the defender to study the case.

It is noteworthy that on September 16, Vardanian refused his former lawyer, Abraham Bermani. The court stated that Vardanian could not remain without a lawyer and needed to either sign a new contract or agree to the appointment of a public defender. Vardanian did not object to the latter option.

Later, his family announced that Ruben Vardanian made such a decision out of necessity, considering the violations of international law and Azerbaijan's procedural code, which have turned the judicial process into a farce. According to Vardanian, all procedural options for defense have been exhausted, and the court has refused to call witnesses who could testify to his innocence.

It is worth recalling that since January 17, trials against former military-political leaders of Artsakh have been underway in Azerbaijan. The accused include former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former foreign minister Davit Babayan, and others. Ruben Vardanian's case is being examined in a separate proceeding.