Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who faces charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on June 3. The open court session was conducted at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel, and reserve judge Gunel Samedova. The accused was provided with a translator and defense attorney of his choice, testifying in Russian, his preferred language.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, before the questioning commenced, Judge Zeynal Agayev elucidated the rights and obligations conferred by law to the victims participating in the trial for the first time. During the session, Ruben Vardanyan requested that a copy of the indictment in his case be provided to his family, a request supported by his lawyer, Avraam Berman. However, Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev opposed this request, citing the Criminal Procedure Code, which classifies information from the preliminary investigation, including the indictment and case materials, as investigative secrecy that cannot be disclosed.
The prosecution emphasized that the indictment contains sensitive personal and family information about the parties involved in the criminal proceedings, which is also protected by law. Consequently, the list of individuals eligible to receive a copy of the indictment does not include family members of the accused. The panel of judges, after deliberation, ruled to deny Vardanyan’s motion, underscoring that only specific individuals listed in the criminal procedure legislation are entitled to receive copies of the indictment, excluding the accused’s family members.
Ruben Vardanyan objected to the panel of judges, contesting the refusal to provide the indictment to his family and the rejection of prior motions. His lawyer supported the objection. However, Tugay Rahimli, Special Assistant to the Prosecutor General, responded by stating that the grounds for challenging a judge under Article 109 of the Criminal Procedure Code had not been met. He also highlighted that Vardanyan had not presented any concrete evidence indicating bias or interest by the panel in the case outcome. The court, after recessing for deliberation, dismissed the objection without consideration, citing the absence of specific or credible evidence to prove the panel’s interest in the prosecution.
Later in the session, testimonies of the victims were heard. Victim Ahmad Ahmadov testified to being shot by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. Other victims, including Bahruz Bayramli, Oruj Huseynov, Gulverdi Mehtiyev, and many others, recounted injuries sustained from artillery fire, mortar shell explosions, and sniper fire attributed to Armenian armed forces and illegal groups. Their testimonies highlighted incidents in various regions, including Aghdara, Khankendi, Lachin, Kalbajar, Shusha, Khojavand, and Agdam.
During the court session, forensic medical examination reports of the victims were also presented. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 10. Ruben Vardanyan faces numerous charges, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, torture, mercenary activity, violations of international humanitarian law, terrorism, and illegal entrepreneurship, among others.