Baku: The date for the trial of Armenian war criminal Ruben Vardanyan has been announced. The preparatory hearing is scheduled for January 17 at the Baku Military Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, an investigation by the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service, in coordination with the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan, has examined allegations of terrorism, financing of terrorism, crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other offenses committed against Azerbaijan and its citizens. Ruben Karlenovich Vardanyan, previously a Russian citizen and now an Armenian national, was declared wanted on September 25, 2023. He was detained and charged on September 27, 2023, under multiple articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code.

The charges against Vardanyan include his involvement in establishing and organizing activities of the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” and illegal armed groups in Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia. He faces charges under articles related to aggression, forced population transfer, persecution, illegal detention, torture, mercenary activities, and violations of war laws among others. The indictment also covers terrorism, financing terrorism, and creation of illegal armed formations.

Throughout the investigation, Vardanyan’s rights, including the right to defense and use of a language he understands, were upheld. He was provided with legal representation of his choice, and the investigation reviewed petitions from him and his counsel as per criminal procedural law.

The completion of the preliminary investigation was communicated to Vardanyan and other parties involved in the criminal process, granting them access to all case materials. The Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan approved the indictment on December 28, 2024, forwarding it to the Baku Military Court for trial proceedings.