Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued at the Baku Military Court. Vardanyan faces charges related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, as reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the open court session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov also part of the panel. A reserve judge, Gunel Samadova, was present. Vardanyan was provided with an interpreter in Russian and a state-funded defense lawyer. Judge Aghayev introduced the panel, prosecutors, interpreters, and other legal personnel to the victims and their legal successors attending the hearing for the first time, explaining their legal rights and obligations.
During the session, testimonies from victims were presented. Sardar Taghiyev, the legal heir of Sabuhi Taghiyev, testified about his brother’s death due to enemy fire in Lachin. Responding to Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, victim Zeka Valiyev recounted the deaths of Allahverdi Safiyev and Elnur Karimov from a mortar shell in Khojaly district, which also injured him and Rasul Aghayev.
Further testimonies were provided by Vahid Aljanov, who noted casualties from a mortar shell in Lachin district, and Elgun Ismayilov, who reported injuries caused by fire from Armenian armed groups in Aghdara district. Additional victims, including Bakhtiyar Huseynov and Nusrat Orujov, described injuries from enemy-thrown hand grenades in Kalbajar.
Victim Javid Khosiyev, responding to state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, detailed injuries from a mortar shell in the Aghdam-Khojaly direction. Nihad Seyidzade, questioned by state prosecutor Vusal Aliyev, reported injuries along with others from enemy fire in Khojaly district. Baylar Karimov also testified about wounds from a mortar shell explosion in Aghdam-Khojaly.
The court session proceeded with examining documents and evidence related to the criminal case. The next hearing is scheduled for December 2. Vardanyan faces numerous charges, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, torture, mercenary activity, terrorism, and violations of international humanitarian law, among others.