Baku: Court hearings on the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen charged with multiple serious offenses, continued at the Baku Military Court. Judge Zeynal Agayev, along with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, presided over the open hearings, with reserve judge Gunel Samadova present. The accused, Ruben Vardanyan, was provided with legal representation and an interpreter in Russian, his chosen language for the proceedings.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Vardanyan faces charges including torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, and financing terrorism. He allegedly joined a criminal organization in December 2020, operating under the guidance of Armenian state bodies and military forces. The organization is accused of committing numerous criminal acts during the conflict against Azerbaijan, violating both domestic and international laws.
Victims of Vardanyan’s alleged actions were questioned in court. Judge Agayev explained their rights and obligations under the law before they provided their testimony. Sohbat Shukurov, a logistics chief in a military unit in Kalbajar district, testified that he was wounded by mortar fire despite being stationed far from the contact line. Another victim, Samir Yusifov, a paramedic, sustained injuries while retrieving bodies of Azerbaijani servicemen during a provocation by Armenian forces in Kalbajar.
Other victims, including Samir Karimov, Orkhan Najafov, and several others, testified that they received injuries from sniper fire and mortar explosions during Armenian provocations in Kalbajar and Aghdam districts. Though they recognized Vardanyan through media and social networks, none knew him personally.
The victims also responded to questions from judges and prosecutors about their service locations, the nature of the military provocations, and the injuries they sustained. Forensic medical examination conclusions were read in court. The next session is scheduled for April 8.
Vardanyan is charged with numerous crimes under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, torture, mercenary activity, terrorism, and illegal entrepreneurship. These charges reflect a broad range of alleged activities linked to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.