Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused of multiple serious crimes including terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, continued at the Baku Military Court. The session was chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel. An interpreter and a state-funded defense lawyer were provided for the accused, who understands Russian.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the session included the introduction of the judicial panel and the explanation of rights to the victims and their legal successors attending for the first time. The court proceeded with hearing testimonies from the victims, detailing various injuries sustained during conflicts.

Victim Samir Mammadov recounted a head injury he sustained in Lachin due to a mortar shell explosion. State prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev questioned him, revealing that Tural Isgandarov was similarly injured. Ruslan Abbasov testified about a gunshot wound he received in Kalbajar, with two others also wounded in the incident.

Further testimonies included Vugar Huseynov, who was wounded by enemy fire in Kalbajar, and Togrul Aliyev, who sustained shrapnel wounds in Aghdam. The court learned that Nazim Agayev and Murad Aliyev were injured alongside Aliyev. Samir Ibrahimov was wounded in Khojaly, while Bayram Agjayev and Rashad Guliyev shared injuries from enemy fire in Kalbajar.

Other victims included Kamal Abdullayev, who was injured by sniper fire in Aghdam, and Orhan Musayev, who was shot in the eye in Aghdam. Dilgam Hasanov suffered injuries from artillery fire in Kalbajar. Samir Khalilov was wounded by rocket fire in Aghdara, resulting in Ulvi Mikayilov’s death.

The hearing concluded with the examination of documents and evidence related to the case. The next session is scheduled for 1 December. Vardanyan faces charges under numerous articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, ranging from planning aggressive warfare to terrorism and illegal border crossing.