BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 22. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on July 22 at the Baku Military Court, Trend reports.
The open court session, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that Vardanyan was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and a defense lawyer of his choice.
Before questioning, Judge Aghayev explained the legal rights and obligations to victims and their legal heirs attending the trial for the first time.
Vardanyan raised an objection, claiming the interpreters used during the preliminary investigation were unprofessional. His defense lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported this claim, listing the interpreters’ names.
Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev countered that Vardanyan failed to specify any instances of unprofessionalism or provide evidence of bias, and requested dismissal of the objection. Victims present supported the prosecution’s position.
Judge Aghayev ruled that Vardanyan did not provide evidence to substantiate his claims, dismissing the objection.
Vardanyan then objected to details in the February 25 court session protocols, alleging procedural violations and judicial bias. Berman supported this objection.
Prosecutor Fuad Musayev responded that while the defense may comment on protocol accuracy, discrepancies or unresolved motions do not justify challenging the judicial panel. Victims again supported the prosecution.
Judge Aghayev noted that objections must be substantiated in writing under the Criminal Procedure Code, and no credible evidence of bias was provided, leading to dismissal of the objection.
Victims and their legal heirs then testified about crimes committed during Armenia’s aggressive war and occupation.
Eynur Kazimov, legal heir of victim Anar Kazimov, stated that his brother was killed in the Lachin district by gunfire from remnants of Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups.
Valeh Safarov, legal heir of victim Gokhan Safarov, testified that his brother was killed in Aghdara by gunfire from similar groups.
Zamir Sadigov and Zulfugar Muradov reported injuries sustained due to enemy provocations.
Kenan Gadirli was injured in Aghdara while evacuating wounded individuals. Responding to prosecutor Fuad Musayev, he noted ongoing knee pain and continued rehabilitation.
Gunduz Gasimov, answering prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, said he was injured in the Kalbajar district by a shell explosion from Armenian forces and illegal groups, with one person killed and others wounded.
Vusal Gurbanov, responding to prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, reported being wounded in Khojaly by sniper fire from Armenian forces and illegal groups, with fatalities and other injuries occurring.
Sadig Ahmadov, answering Nasir Bayramov, head of the Prosecutor General’s Department for Public Prosecution, said he was injured in Kalbajar by an anti-personnel mine planted by Armenian forces.
Sadig Maharramov testified to injuries from a grenade launcher explosion in Kalbajar by enemy forces, stating he is now a third-group invalid.
The next court session is scheduled for July 29.
Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).
