Reworked News Text
Title: Vardanyan Case: Political Scientist Calls on the US and Europe to Support Baku’s Pursuit of Justice
Renowned Ukrainian political scientist Taras Kuzio in his recent article raised the issue of the trial of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan, calling on the US and Europe to support Baku. Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen, is accused of serious crimes under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and its financing.
Kuzio suggests looking at the situation through a hypothetical scenario: “Imagine a Russian oligarch illegally sent to a puppet state occupying part of another country’s territory to establish Kremlin control. This person, nicknamed ‘Putin’s wallet’, is under Ukrainian sanctions for supporting aggression against Ukraine, and his companies are sanctioned by the US, UK, and EU for supplying the Russian army. Now imagine this oligarch is detained by the government on whose sovereign territory this puppet entity existed for over 30 years. Wouldn’t the US and Europe welcome his criminal prosecution?”
Further, the political scientist provides facts about Ruben Vardanyan, an oligarch of Armenian origin:
- Thirty years ago, Armenia created a fictitious puppet ‘state’, occupying a fifth of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory.
- In 2022, when the dissolution of this entity became inevitable, the Kremlin sent Vardanyan to try to preserve it.
- Vardanyan was the perfect candidate: he amassed his fortune in Russia in the 90s, his billions are linked to the Kremlin’s economic system, and Russian special services had compromising material making him manageable.
- He was convenient for the pro-Russian opposition in Armenia and enjoyed the favor of the diaspora in the US and France due to generous donations.
Kuzio notes that Vardanyan’s supporters condemn his arrest but avoid discussing the sources of his wealth and the reasons for Ukrainian sanctions.
“Vardanyan did not sell his stake in the Russian military vehicle manufacturer ‘KAMAZ’, a key supplier for the Russian army in the war against Ukraine. He is also the founder and sponsor of the Skolkovo Management School — an ‘elite academy’ in the center of high-tech research’,” Kuzio emphasizes.
The political scientist categorically refutes attempts to portray Vardanyan as an “experienced investment specialist” arrested for being a “Christian”. Azerbaijan is known for its religious tolerance, home to one of the world’s oldest Jewish communities. Vardanyan’s religious beliefs are irrelevant to the case.
He is being tried in Baku on charges of occupying Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, financing terrorism, and war crimes. Baku has a legitimate right to prosecute him, as well as other individuals who committed these acts on Azerbaijan’s territory.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the International Court (IC) confirmed the legitimacy of Azerbaijan’s actions, concluding that the trial is free, fair, and legal, and Baku’s position is not arbitrary.
Kuzio draws another analogy: “If Mexico invaded Arizona and occupied a fifth of this state for over three decades, and then a Mexican oligarch was sent to save it before American troops liberated the territory, would the US arrest and try this oligarch? Undoubtedly, he would be tried for the crime of aggression against the country’s sovereignty.”
Concluding the article, Taras Kuzio expresses hope that Vardanyan will one day stand trial in Ukraine for supporting the war against Ukrainians. “Meanwhile, we must support his trial in Azerbaijan. America and Europe should support Baku’s pursuit of justice, not allowing people like Vardanyan to evade justice,” he concludes.