“I Am Proud to Represent the Armenian People”: Armenian POW Ruben Vardanyan Speaks Defiantly in Baku Court

On February 10, the final hearing of what is described as Ruben Vardanyan’s staged trial took place in Baku. Today his family shared an audio recorded speech from Ruben Vardanyan that detailed what he said in court and why he refused to take part in the sham legal process as it unfolded.

According to the message he delivered by phone, Vardanyan instructed his lawyer not to present any defense arguments. He said he viewed the proceedings as a judicial farce and believed there was no real chance for a fair trial. Because of this, his lawyer remained silent despite objections from the judges, while Vardanyan himself kept his remarks short.

He told his family that he did not repeat statements he had already made in December about his main positions. Instead, he chose to read poetry in court. He shared one poem that he said related to Armenia, originally written in the 16th century by Azerbaijani poet Mohammad Fuzuli and translated into Russian by Vladimir Lugovskoy.

Vardanyan summarized the poem in his speech. The poem reflects on the nature of power and human ambition, warning against the emptiness of conquest and corruption. It emphasizes the strength of truth and the power of words, suggesting that true freedom comes from dignity, justice, and moral courage, rather than material wealth or force. Its themes align with Vardanyan’s message in court about responsibility, equality, and the pursuit of peace.

He continued with his own words about the path toward peace in the region and the need for equality between neighbors.

“And not even for trains of gasoline. What I have said, and what I wish to repeat, is this: we must understand that a long road to peace lies ahead of us, and it will not be easy. We will have to undergo a profound internal renewal and restore ourselves, first and foremost. Because, I repeat, peace can exist only when there are two equal neighbors.

If one side is to humiliate itself before the other, nothing will work. There will be no peace. I hope we come to realize and understand that everything depends solely on us — on our ability to restore ourselves, to respect ourselves, and preserve our sense of reason, without losing the awareness that we truly must live in peace in our region. In court, I said — and repeated three times, even as they tried to interrupt me — that Artsakh has existed, Artsakh exists, and Artsakh will exist in an existential sense. It was, it is, and it will be.

The fact that Artsakh has existed, exists, and will exist is not a legal matter. It is a simple truth that no one can simply erase. I am deeply convinced of this.

I said that I will do everything so that, within our lifetime — within my lifetime, I hope — the leaders of the three sides of the conflict will together lay flowers at the graves of those who perished, regardless of nationality or religion, and ask forgiveness from all mothers for their fallen children. I hope that one day, this will happen, and that it will happen with respect — for everyone, and toward one another.

I also said that I am proud to represent the Armenian people here, in this court. I am not afraid of any punishment or decision and am ready to accept it with complete calm, because what is taking place is not a trial, but a farce.

Unfortunately, they did not use the opportunity. They did not take advantage of the chance to conduct a genuine judicial process that could have laid the foundation for truly long-term peace. Instead, they organized an incomprehensible, unprofessional spectacle which, regrettably, benefitted no one — least of all, the Azerbaijani state itself. I am convinced of this.”

Vardanyan’s comments come as other former Artsakh officials have also received heavy sentences in Azerbaijan. On February 5, a Baku court sentenced former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan to 20 years in prison. Former Artsakh president Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army Davit Manukyan, former Artsakh foreign minister Davit Babayan, and former National Assembly speaker Davit Ishkhanyan were sentenced to life imprisonment.

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