Ishkhanyan Criticizes Baku Trial Process as 'Controlled' and 'Retaliatory'

Davit Ishkhanyan, detained in Baku, delivered a message from prison describing significant irregularities in his ongoing appeals process. Speaking via phone call to family, Ishkhanyan stated that neither defense nor prosecution has received the complete verdict text since the February 5 ruling, only excerpts. He reported that court requests for full disclosure and for online broadcast of hearings were both rejected. Ishkhanyan characterized the trial as "fiction" and "fully controlled, censored retaliatory" proceedings, comparing it to Kafkaesque legal fiction. He also noted that requests to Azerbaijan's human rights ombudsman and Armenia's Human Rights Defender for verdict documentation remain unanswered. Ishkhanyan alleged that political developments in Armenia are coordinating with trial timelines, suggesting detention terms are being adjusted based on Armenian governmental preferences.