Baku court sets next hearing as emotional testimonies dominate Vardanyan trial

The trial of Armenian national Ruben Vardanyan, charged with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, progressed today in Baku.

The open session at the Baku Military Court was held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in the language he understands (Russian) as well as a state-funded defence lawyer, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Judge Aghayev formally introduced the court panel, prosecutors, interpreters, and other participants to the victims and their legal successors appearing for the first time, while explaining their rights and obligations.

Several victims recounted the injuries they sustained during hostilities. Samir Mammadov reported a head injury in Lachin caused by a mortar shell, with Tural Isgandarov also wounded in the same incident.

Ruslan Abbasov described being shot during shelling in Kalbajar, which also injured two others, while Vugar Huseynov reported being wounded in the same region.

Toghrul Aliyev testified to shrapnel injuries from shelling by Armenian forces in Aghdam, where Nazim Aghaev and Murad Aliyev were also injured. Samir Ibrahimov described wounds sustained in Khojaly, and Bayram Aghjayev recounted injuries from enemy fire in Kalbajar.

Rashad Guliyev reported an injury caused by an artillery shell in Kalbajar. Kamal Abdullayev stated he was shot by a sniper in Aghdam. Orkhan Musayev recounted a left-eye injury from shelling in Aghdam, alongside Bahruz Rzayev and Nizami Jabbarov, who were also injured.

Dilgam Hasanov reported being wounded during artillery shelling in Kalbajar. Samir Khalilov described injuries sustained in Aghdara during a rocket attack by the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups, which resulted in the death of Ulvi Mikayilov.

The proceedings continued with the examination of documents and other evidence contained in the criminal case file. The next session of the court is scheduled for December 1.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under 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 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an 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 Vafa Guliyeva