Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged with a range of offenses under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and terrorism, continued at the Baku Military Court. The proceedings, reported by APA, took place in an open court session presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova ensuring that Vardanyan had access to a Russian-language interpreter and a defense lawyer of his choice.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court began with Judge Aghayev outlining the legal rights and obligations to victims and their legal heirs attending the trial for the first time. Vardanyan raised an objection regarding the professionalism of the interpreters used during the preliminary investigation. His defense lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported this claim by listing the interpreters’ names. However, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev argued that Vardanyan did not provide specific instances of unprofessionalism or evidence of bias, leading the judge to dismiss the objection.
Further objections by Vardanyan concerning procedural violations in the February 25 court session protocols were also dismissed after Prosecutor Fuad Musayev clarified that discrepancies or unresolved motions did not justify challenging the judicial panel. The victims present supported the prosecution’s position.
Testimonies from victims and their legal heirs highlighted the crimes committed during Armenia’s aggressive war and occupation. Eynur Kazimov, the legal heir of victim Anar Kazimov, reported his brother’s death in the Lachin district due to gunfire from remnants of Armenian armed forces and illegal groups. Similarly, Valeh Safarov testified about his brother’s death in Aghdara under similar circumstances.
Other victims recounted injuries sustained from enemy provocations, with Kenan Gadirli describing ongoing knee pain from an injury while evacuating wounded individuals in Aghdara. Gunduz Gasimov, injured by a shell explosion in the Kalbajar district, reported one fatality and multiple injuries. Additional testimonies detailed injuries from sniper fire, mines, and grenade launcher explosions.
The trial, which includes charges such as planning and waging a war of aggression, torture, mercenary activity, and terrorism, will continue in the next court session scheduled for July 29. Vardanyan faces multiple charges under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against him.