Baku: The court proceedings in the criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev. The panel included Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, with reserve judge Gunel Samadova also present. The session provided Vardanyan with an interpreter in Russian, his native language, and lawyers of his choice.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, during a previous hearing, Vardanyan expressed dissatisfaction with the court proceedings and waived his defense attorney, Avraam Berman. He requested the appointment of a state-funded lawyer, as he did not have a contract with another attorney. The court accepted his waiver and contacted the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan to appoint a new defense lawyer.
Emil Babishov, a member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been appointed as the new defense attorney for Vardanyan. The defendant did not object to Babishov’s appointment, and other trial participants had no objections either. Judge Aghayev introduced Babishov to the court, and the attorney expressed no objections to the proceedings.
The presiding judge announced that Babishov would receive additional time to review case materials and that arrangements would be made for a confidential meeting with Vardanyan. The court proceedings were adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for November 4.
Ruben Vardanyan is facing numerous charges under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, forcible disappearance, torture, mercenary activity, violations of warfare laws, intentional murder, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and illegal activities related to firearms and aviation safety. These charges are severe, highlighting the gravity of the accusations against him.