Ruben Vardanyan addresses Armenian people from  Baku prison:  Remember, it is the people who choose Brave Nazar as king; he does  not become king by himself

ArmInfo.Former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan  has issued an address to the Armenian people from a prison in Baku, where he has been unlawfully held since September 2023, following Azerbaijan's forcible seizure of Artsakh.

The statement reads as follows: " Dear compatriots, although this is not easy for me, I want to address you  in Armenian, because I consider it very important. From here, from the place where I am now, I want to share five thoughts with you, hoping that you will understand me correctly.

First, I want to remind you once again: it is the people who choose  Brave Nazar as king; he does not become king by himself. I want to  remind all of us of this, so that we do not forget it.  Second, dear  "Brave Nazar" Nikol, your luck ran out three times.

First - I have loved reading since childhood, and in my youth one of  my favorite writers was Erich Maria Remarque. Second - while spending  800 days in a prison cell, I read a great deal, trying to preserve my  Armenian. I searched the library for books by Armenian writers.  Unfortunately, there were only two books in Armenian in the library:  one by V. Petrosyan, and the other by you. This surprised me very  much: I did not know that you were such a famous writer. 

After reading your book, I became convinced that you not only have  serious problems with moral and ethical standards, with education,  and with other things, but that, in addition, you are also a liar, a  fantasist, and a plagiarist. I must say, this surprised me greatly,  because as a journalist you should know that one must not steal  someone else's property - intellectual property, books. But you did  so calmly, and more than once. And, of course, your shortcomings,  mistakes, and conduct upset me deeply. Unfortunately, I fear that for  what you are doing, you will have to pay a heavy price.

You know, in India people believe that after death a person is reborn  as other people or animals. The greatest punishment for committing  many sins is considered to be rebirth as an earthworm, living in that  form for 84,000 years. I fear that this is the punishment awaiting  you. But I hope that you still have time - although perhaps it is  already too late.

Third, I want to say that we must all understand: today we face an  extremely serious challenge. This is not a question of elections. It  is a question of the fact that the war is not over. The war  continues. And it continues not in the form of military action, but  in other forms.

Now, when attempts are being made to turn us into a bargaining chip  between Russia and the European Union, the greatest danger is that we  will ultimately fall under the control of a third force. That third  force is only waiting for the moment when we become fully dependent  on it - economically, financially, informationally, technologically,  in every way - and become a vilayet of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

This is precisely their goal. They will move toward it step by step,  already without physical or military action. And if someone does not  understand this, I want to say: we must all realize that if we do  nothing, this scenario will become reality very quickly. We are in  great danger. If we do not change our conduct, neither Russia nor the  European Union awaits us. What awaits us is becoming a Turkish  vilayet.

Fourth, these days there is a discussion about preparing a military  parade to be held on May 28. I consider this immoral, because at this  very time our soldiers and officers are in captivity, sitting in  Azerbaijani prisons. I want to remind you once again: an army is not  built on parades, money, weapons, or ranks.  Above all, it is built  on spirit - moral and patriotic spirit. And I call on all true  patriots of Armenia not to participate in this parade, because in a  situation where our officers and soldiers are held here, holding a  parade is immoral.

This thought gives me no peace. I consider it immoral that our boys  have been here for six years and have no opportunity to receive  photographs, letters, or clothes from their relatives. Another  problem is that Armenia is inactive. The defeated commander-in-chief  does nothing so that these people may at least feel that a state  stands behind them.

Fifth, remember: the greatest danger is indifference. Indifference is  more dangerous than any other vice.  The opposite of love is not  hatred, but indifference. The opposite of good is not evil, but  indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, but indifference.  The opposite of life is not death, but indifference. In order to have  our own state and to be proud that we are its citizens, we must  understand: no one owes us anything. We ourselves must not be  indifferent, and we must do everything to preserve our state. Each of  us must understand: no one, no single person, can change the  situation alone. Only by uniting can we, together, do everything  possible to preserve our country, so that we have an independent  state.

And in conclusion, I want to say: for me, it is a joy to serve God  voluntarily and to be grateful to Him, to love everyone and  everything around me, to overcome temptations, to learn every second  until my last breath, and to give the world everything I know and can  do, repaying to God my unpayable debt for my happiness. And I am  happy that I can do all of this until my very last breath.

I am dasa (Sanskrit: ?, dasa – servant, devotee) Ruben, the son of  Karlen and Irina, an Armenian who thinks in Russian, a member of the  Brotherhood of Translators of Meaning, a person who is happy to have  the opportunity to dedicate his life to his homeland and to the  world, to serve with love and faith in his heart.

And I want all of us to understand: our future is in our own hands,  and in no one else's. I am confident that we can and will do  everything possible for that future to be bright, good, and based on  principles and values. And I hope that all those who are acting  wrongly today and approaching everything with the wrong attitude will  understand this and change their approach. If not - God be with them.  I forgive everyone, I love everyone.  Thank you all. I am with you."

The message was published today, May 26, on the philanthropist's  birthday. Today marks his 58th birthday—his third consecutive  birthday spent in Azerbaijani captivity.