Chess star Levon Aronian has condemned former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan's sham trial in Azerbaijan.

"I know Ruben personally for more than 15 years. He is a visionary with a dream to unite humanity and bring peace to the world through education. What he is facing from the authorities in Azerbaijan is mockery of a trial and has no justification," he posted on X on Saturday, sharing Vardanyan's message conveyed to his family.