Baku: The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen facing a multitude of charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and terrorism, continued at the Baku Military Court. The session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova. The court ensured Vardanyan had access to a Russian translator and a defense lawyer of his choice.
Baku: The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen facing a multitude of charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and terrorism, continued at the Baku Military Court. The session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova. The court ensured Vardanyan had access to a Russian translator and a defense lawyer of his choice.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Vardanyan addressed the court to present several motions, the most notable being a request to question key individuals connected to his case, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, members of the OSCE Minsk Group, and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan. His defense attorney, Avraam Berman, supported this motion.

The prosecution, represented by Vusal Aliyev and Nasir Bayramov, argued that the individuals Vardanyan wished to question were not pertinent to the charges at hand. They emphasized that the evidence and its sequence had been previously determined with the defense’s involvement, and thus, requested that the motion be dismissed. Victims involved in the proceedings echoed this sentiment, leading the judicial panel to leave the motion unconsidered, though they allowed for the possibility of resubmission in future sessions.

Vardanyan also contested the trial being held in a military court, arguing his non-military status. However, the prosecution explained that since some charges were military offenses, the military court was the appropriate jurisdiction. This motion was also rejected, as the court had previously clarified its jurisdiction to all parties involved.

In a subsequent motion, Vardanyan requested access to decisions on previous motions, which the court indicated had already been provided and would continue to be accessible.

Additionally, Vardanyan challenged the charge of illegal border crossing and sought to question former commanders of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh. However, Judge Agayev noted that these individuals were not relevant to the case, and the motion was left unconsidered. Testimonies from victims and their representatives detailed various incidents of violence, attributing them to Armenian forces, providing a backdrop of the ongoing conflict.

Ruben Vardanyan faces a comprehensive list of charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, involving serious allegations such as planning and executing aggressive warfare, deportation, torture, and terrorism. The next court session is scheduled for September 23.