On St. Vardanants Day \u2014 a symbol of faith, martyrdom, and national dignity \u2014 Archbishop Bagrat Srbazan delivered a speech in the courtroom that extended far beyond legal defense. It was a political, moral, and public indictment of both the trial itself and the broader atmosphere prevailing in the country.<\/p>\n
The Archbishop began by congratulating those present on Vardanants Day, reminding the court that the day embodies loyalty, sacrifice, and responsibility. He then turned to what he described as a fundamental injustice: the differing verdicts issued against eighteen individuals facing identical charges.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI am ready to apologize if anyone can show even a punctuation difference in the charges,\u201d he stated, underscoring that justice cannot be selective.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Bagrat Srbazan sharply condemned the accusations leveled against the defendants \u2014 allegations of sabotage, damage to the electricity supply system, obstruction of movement, and even executions. For months, he said, he had demanded clarification and evidence to substantiate such grave claims. None were provided. Not a single legal article, not a single proof.<\/p>\n
One of the most striking moments of the speech was his direct assessment of the country\u2019s leadership. Bagrat Srbazan declared openly:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe person who ceded Artsakh is making allegations against us.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He went on saying that it was he [ed. Nikol Pashinyan, who is responsible for many casualties, wounded, and missing people, and it was his political decisions that have led the country to such heavy consequences.<\/p>\n
According to the Archbishop, that same individual is now publicly branding them as terrorists, radicals, and extremists. \u201cWho will stop him?\u201d he asked rhetorically, pointing to what he described as the complete absence of any legal restraint on such public accusations.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that when high-ranking officials publicly characterize an ongoing case with terms such as \u201cterrorism\u201d and \u201cradicalism,\u201d it inevitably prejudices the trial.<\/p>\n
In closing, Bagrat Srbazan made his position unequivocal: the case, he insisted, has nothing to do with terrorism or terrorist activity. It is politically motivated, he argued, dependent on the will of those in power, and driven by political fear.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is subject to the whims of one person,\u201d he said, reaffirming his conviction that the charges are instruments of political persecution.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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