Ruben Vardanyan, through his family, explained his reasons for dismissing his lawyer, citing the absence of conditions necessary for the lawyer to perform professional duties and violations of legal norms.

His statement reads as follows:

“During the court hearing on October 21, I announced my decision to withdraw from the services of my lawyer, Abraham Berman. This was a forced decision. Gross violations of international law norms, as well as of Azerbaijani procedural law itself, turned these hearings into an outright farce. Under these conditions, all procedural avenues for defense have been exhausted.

I was never allowed to review the case materials or the indictment. Access to the materials continues to be denied — I cannot examine the 422 volumes of my case, and the court has not provided official translations of the key procedural documents.

I was denied the opportunity to defend myself in court. I have not been able to exchange documents with my lawyer freely and without prior review to prepare for hearings, nor have I had access to audio and video recordings presented as evidence of my guilt.

All my motions have been ignored by the investigative authorities and the court. Critical requests from my lawyer, necessary for a fair trial, have also gone unanswered.

Another reason for dismissing my lawyer was the court’s refusal to summon witnesses who could clarify facts of the case and confirm evidence important for the defense. The court denied this request, completely depriving the process of any sign of objectivity or fairness.

Over time, the situation only worsened. In this absurd theater, the lawyer’s role, regardless of their desire and effort, is limited solely to maintaining the formal legality of the process. I refuse to participate in this farce. I do not need the illusion of defense. I demand the real protection of my procedural rights.”