Vardanyan says Armenia’s future is in its own hands

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Artsakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, who marked his third birthday in a prison in Baku, addressed the public in Armenian, reflecting on Armenia’s current situation.

He said that “King Nazar the Brave is chosen by the people, he does not become king by himself,” adding that Armenia’s future is “in our own hands, not in someone else’s.”

Vardanyan outlined five main points in his message, according to Panorama.am .

In the first point, he repeated that “the people choose Nazar the Brave as king,” stressing the importance of remembering that principle.

In the second point, addressing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whom he referred to as “Dear Nazar the Brave Nikol,” Vardanyan accused him of dishonesty, plagiarism and moral failings. He said he had read Pashinyan’s book while in prison and claimed it contained copied material from several writers.

Third, Vardanyan argued that the war had not ended but continued in non-military forms. He warned that Armenia risks becoming economically, technologically and politically dependent on Turkey and Azerbaijan if current developments continue. According to him, Armenia risks becoming a “vilayet” of Turkey if society remains passive.

Fourth, he criticized plans for a military parade on May 28, calling it immoral while Armenian prisoners remain jailed in Azerbaijan. He said a true army is built not by parades or weapons but by patriotic and moral spirit, and urged citizens not to participate in the parade.

In his fifth point, Vardanyan described indifference as the greatest danger facing society. He urged Armenians to take responsibility for preserving the state and emphasized that no individual alone can change the situation without collective action.

“I am convinced that we can and will do everything so that our future is bright, kind and based on principles and values,” he said in the message.

A court in Baku sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.