Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who is facing grave charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, continued at the Baku Military Court. The charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and financing terrorism. The proceedings, held on August 5, were reported by the Azeri-Press News Agency.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the open hearing was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov also present, along with reserve judge Gnel Samadova. To ensure fair trial rights, Vardanyan was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and a defense lawyer of his choice. Before the testimonies began, Judge Aghayev explained the legal rights and obligations to the victims and their legal heirs attending the trial for the first time.

Several legal heirs and victims testified about the losses and injuries they suffered allegedly due to actions by Armenian army remnants and illegal armed groups. Abdulagha Sadikhov, Bakhtiyar Malikov, Sadig Maharramov, and Javanshir Yunusov recounted the deaths of their sons, while victims like Mammad Gayibov and Ali Heydarov described injuries from Armenian-fired shells and mortar explosions.

The testimonies highlighted the harrowing experiences faced by those affected, with individuals like Farid Aslanov, Jamal Hamidov, and Habil Ganbarov detailing incidents of gunfire and shell explosions. Afig Suleymanov and Kanan Ahadov shared accounts of mine explosions that led to injuries, with Ahadov’s narrative corroborated by Rashad Haziyev, who also suffered injuries in the same incident.

Shahriyar Zarbaliyev’s testimony added to the list of those wounded by enemy gunfire, alongside Emil Nabiyev and Rovshan Azimli. Meanwhile, Abdulla Hajiyev and Sadig Hamidov’s accounts described further gunfire injuries in Aghdara and Aghdam.

The next session of the court is scheduled for August 12. Vardanyan faces a multitude of charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, torture, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and several other serious offenses related to international and domestic law violations.