YEREVAN—Protests have been taking place in Yerevan since February 28, demanding the immediate release of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku. Non-governmental organizations, political figures and citizens are seeking to
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The outrage over the sham trials in Baku is justified, but it must also be directed at those who enabled this injustice – Russia. The so-called Russian “peacekeepers” were not passive observers; their failure to uphold their mandate directly contributed to the tragic outcome in Artsakh. By standing aside, they allowed Azerbaijan to displace 120,000 Armenians and forcibly detain its leaders without resistance.
It was under Russia’s deliberate negligence and calculated indifference that Ruben Vardanyan and other Artsakh officials were arrested and now face politically motivated trials. Moscow, which presented itself as a guarantor of security, instead facilitated Azerbaijan’s complete takeover and failed to protect those it had pledged to defend.
This betrayal cannot be overlooked. If Armenians truly seek justice, their protests must extend beyond Armenian institutions, and anger be directed at Russian embassies in Yerevan, Washington, DC, Paris, and beyond. Silence will only embolden further injustices – Russia must be held accountable and pressured to act.
Best regards,
Berge Jololian
How come we are not doing this in front of the Azeri consulates in LA, NY or Paris?
Natural justice demands their release.
They are not “prisoners” but hostages.