Baku court examines evidence in Ruben Vardanyan case, victims share devastating stories PHOTO

The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused of multiple serious charges including torture, mercenarism, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, and financing terrorism under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, continued today at the Baku Military Court.

The open court session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov participating, and Gunel Samadova serving as the reserve judge, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

During the proceedings, the accused was provided with an interpreter fluent in Russian and was represented by a defense lawyer of his choice, Avraham Berman. Addressing the court, Berman stated that on June 23, the panel of judges had facilitated the opportunity for him and his client to review the court session records from 13 and 17 February. The defense now sought access to the decisions made during the preparatory session of the court, as documented in the minutes, as well as extracts related to motions filed at those sittings. Vardanyan supported his counsel’s request.

Judge Aghayev confirmed that the court had already allowed the defense to familiarize themselves with the requested documents and assured that such access would be granted again as necessary.

The session proceeded with testimonies from victims and legal successors of those affected by what the court described as Armenia’s aggressive war and occupation policy. Absaladdin Koklarov, recognized as the legal successor of victim Sarkhan Koklarov, testified that his brother had been wounded by shelling from Armenian forces in Aghdara and died in hospital five days later.

Tahir Gasimov, legal successor of victim Hajiali Gasimov, recounted that his son was shot by a sniper near Khankandi, remained in a coma at the Republican Neurosurgical Hospital, and succumbed four months later.

Additional victims detailed their injuries sustained during the conflict. Mirzahasan Safaraliyev reported being wounded by enemy shelling in Aghdam, alongside five others, with one fatality. Zulfu Gasimov described being injured during a large-scale Armenian provocation near Kalbajar, where one person died and several were wounded due to a mortar shell explosion.

Guloghlan Amiraslanov testified that he was wounded in Khojavand district by a Fagot anti-tank missile fired by enemy forces. Kamran Hasanov detailed being wounded by a mortar shell explosion in Aliaghali village, Aghdam district, during which Allahverdi Safiyev and Elnur Karimov, present nearby, were killed.

Following the victims’ testimonies, the court heard the conclusions of the forensic medical examination related to the case.

The next hearing in the trial is scheduled for July 8.

By Vafa Guliyeva