Baku: The open court hearing in the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of Armenia charged under articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, will continue on February 17, the Baku Military Court told AZERTAC.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, at the court session held on February 10, it was announced that the judicial investigation had been completed and that the panel of judges had retired to deliberate.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1 and 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation or forcible displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), and 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law). The charges also encompass Article 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), and several violations of norms of international humanitarian law during an armed conflict under Articles 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, and 116.0.18.

Further charges include Articles 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, and 120.2.12 (intentional murder) and attempted intentional murder under Articles 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, and 29.120.2.12.

Additional allegations involve Article 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), Articles 214.2.1, 214.2.3, and 214.2.4 (terrorism), Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism), and Articles 218.1 and 218.2 (creation of a criminal group). Vardanyan is also accused under Article 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices) and Articles 270-1.2 and 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety).

Moreover, the charges include Article 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, or forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state) and Articles 279.1, 279.2, and 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), as well as Article 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border).