Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued at the Baku Military Court under Judge Zeynal Agayev. An interpreter and a state-funded defense lawyer were provided for the accused.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court session, which was open to the public, involved Judge Zeynal Agayev explaining the rights and obligations of the victims and legal successors present. During an earlier session, Vardanyan had objected to interpreter Islam Agakarimov. Both Vardanyan and his lawyer Emil Babishov requested the court to uphold their objection.
Islam Agakarimov, who translated the preparatory court session’s decision, admitted a mechanical error in translation, asserting it did not alter the decision’s meaning. Prosecutor Nasir Bayramov highlighted that the defense’s objection had been raised before due to the interpreter’s previous absence. The objection was ultimately rejected as the error was deemed mechanical, not intentional, and did not meet the grounds for challenging an interpreter under the Criminal Procedure Code.
The session proceeded with victim testimonies. Victim Jamil Aliyev recounted sustaining injuries from an anti-tank missile in Cheragdar village, while Intiqam Rustamli described injuries from an explosion in Khojavand district. Etibar Aliyev detailed a mine explosion in Kalbajar district that killed several journalists, and Allahverdi Mammadli reported injuries from a grenade explosion in Khojavand district.
Further testimonies included Nahid Asadov’s account of a projectile explosion in Khojavand, Elshan Rustamov’s injuries from mine clearing in Jabrayil district, and Shahmar Jalilov’s vehicle being hit by rocket fire in Aghdara. Umid Shukurov noted fatalities and injuries from a provocation in Kalbajar, while Novruz Aliyev described being wounded by a drone attack in Yellijah village.
Additional details emerged from victims Eynulla Nasirli, who was injured by sniper fire in Khojaly, and Yusif Yusifov, who recounted sniper fire in Aghdam district that resulted in a death and injuries. The court session continued with document and evidence examination, with the next hearing scheduled for 20 November.
Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, covering offenses from war aggression to illegal entrepreneurship and terrorism financing.