Rehan Dimitri

Students from all over the world study at United World Colleges Dilijan, an international school nestled in the mountains of northern Armenia. It was built through the vision and funding of an Armenian billionaire, Ruben Vardanyan. But his wealth is of little use now that he's facing a lifetime in jail in neighboring Azerbaijan.

Students from all over the world study at United World Colleges Dilijan, an international school nestled in the mountains of northern Armenia. It was built through the vision and funding of an Armenian billionaire, Ruben Vardanyan. But his wealth is of little use now that he's facing a lifetime in jail in neighboring Azerbaijan.

Silvia Khovnanyan, a former student, speaks with emotion about the man who sponsored her education.

Silvia Khovnanyan, a former student, speaks with emotion about the man who sponsored her education.

Vardanyan was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities, along with over a dozen former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, following the military takeover of the disputed region by Azerbaijan in September 2023. They're now standing trial in Baku's military court, accused of war crimes. David is Ruben Vardanyan's eldest son.

Vardanyan was arrested by Azerbaijani authorities, along with over a dozen former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, following the military takeover of the disputed region by Azerbaijan in September 2023. They're now standing trial in Baku's military court, accused of war crimes. David is Ruben Vardanyan's eldest son.

Azerbaijan insists that the rights of ethnic Armenian prisoners have been respected and that it has a responsibility to hold to account those suspected of having committed war crimes. Vardanyan's family says he's being accused of 42 criminal charges dating back decades when he was a student and living mainly in Russia.

Azerbaijan insists that the rights of ethnic Armenian prisoners have been respected and that it has a responsibility to hold to account those suspected of having committed war crimes. Vardanyan's family says he's being accused of 42 criminal charges dating back decades when he was a student and living mainly in Russia.

Everything changed for Ruben Vardanyan in September 2022 when he decided to move to Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, a mountainous region that was historically populated by ethnic Armenians, but was part of Soviet Azerbaijan. Outside Yerevan's Opera House, protesters gathered to oppose the peace deal that Armenia and Azerbaijan are finalising.

Everything changed for Ruben Vardanyan in September 2022 when he decided to move to Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, a mountainous region that was historically populated by ethnic Armenians, but was part of Soviet Azerbaijan. Outside Yerevan's Opera House, protesters gathered to oppose the peace deal that Armenia and Azerbaijan are finalising.

Many here are angry that the release of prisoners isn't included in the agreement.

Many here are angry that the release of prisoners isn't included in the agreement.

But in Armenia's parliament, ruling party MP Arsen Torosian defends the government's approach.

But in Armenia's parliament, ruling party MP Arsen Torosian defends the government's approach.

In his voice message from prison recorded during a recent telephone call with the family, Ruben Vardanyan warned that this is a mistake.

In his voice message from prison recorded during a recent telephone call with the family, Ruben Vardanyan warned that this is a mistake.

In Azerbaijan, only one state TV channel has been allowed to film the court proceedings. The Azeri media dubbed the hearings as Nuremberg trials, which they say will bring historic justice. But for many Armenians, there is little hope for justice in what they consider simply as show trials.

In Azerbaijan, only one state TV channel has been allowed to film the court proceedings. The Azeri media dubbed the hearings as Nuremberg trials, which they say will bring historic justice. But for many Armenians, there is little hope for justice in what they consider simply as show trials.

Georgia's prosecutor's office published a detailed list of what it described as personal comfort and luxury items of Mikhail Saakashvili. Prosecutors argued that while serving as president, Mikhail Saakashvili spent over US$3 million of public money purchasing expensive gifts, clothing, cosmetic procedures and other luxuries.

Georgia's prosecutor's office published a detailed list of what it described as personal comfort and luxury items of Mikhail Saakashvili. Prosecutors argued that while serving as president, Mikhail Saakashvili spent over US$3 million of public money purchasing expensive gifts, clothing, cosmetic procedures and other luxuries.