Azerbaijani court hears victim testimonies during trial over Armenian businessman PHOTO

The trial of Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan has resumed in the Baku Military Court, where he faces a series of grave charges, including war crimes, mercenarism, torture, terrorism, and financing terrorism.

The hearing, held publicly, is being presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, alongside judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, with reserve judge Gunel Samadova present. Vardanyan has been granted a Russian-language interpreter and is represented by a defense attorney of his choosing, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The case, brought under multiple provisions of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, centers on Vardanyan’s involvement in armed actions during the Karabakh conflict. During the session, the court heard testimonies from victims and the legal successors of those killed during military clashes involving Armenian forces.

Alizamin Ganbarov recounted the death of his son, Rashad Ganbarli, in the Lachin district, saying he was killed by shelling from what he described as remnants of Armenian military units and unlawful armed groups. “No compensation can restore what I’ve lost,” Ganbarov said.

Another witness, Saribala Hasanov, testified that his son, Said Hasanov, died in the Kalbajar district after coming under enemy fire. Fuzuli Gasimov said his son, Inqilab Gasimzade, was killed in Khankendi during an attack launched by Armenian forces.

Ilaha Eyvazova told the court that her husband, Tural Jahangirov, died in Kalbajar under artillery fire. “It happened on our daughter’s birthday,” she added, tearfully recalling the tragedy.

Aynur Mursalova also testified, saying her husband, Zahir Aliyev, was killed in the same district by shelling. 

Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

By Naila Huseynova