Baku Military Court hears harrowing accounts of mine blast victims at Vardanyan's trial PHOTO

The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen accused of multiple charges including torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on April 22. During the session, victims of landmine explosions shared harrowing accounts of their traumatic experiences, many of whom had suffered life-changing injuries.

The open hearings held at the Baku Military Court were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel of judges consisting of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in the language of his choice, i.e. Russian, as well as lawyers for his defense, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The session focused on the interrogation of victims, many of whom had suffered life-altering injuries due to landmines. The victims appeared in court with visible signs of their traumatic experiences, some using crutches or canes to assist with their mobility.

Hasanali Aliyev, one of the victims, testified that on February 4, 2024, while grazing cattle in the village of Giziloba, Tartar district, he was injured by a landmine planted by Armenian forces. Aliyev's left leg was amputated below the knee as a result of the explosion.

Another victim, Elnur Asgarov, described how he was injured on April 18, 2023, by a mine explosion while grazing cattle in Borsunlu village, Tartar district. He recounted the horrific moment of the blast and the lasting impact on his life.

Akif Huseynov recounted a particularly tragic event. After the Armenian military occupation of Yusifjanli village in Aghdam district, Huseynov and his family relocated to Afatli village. On a visit to inspect agricultural lands in the liberated territories, his sons Anar, Razi, and Bayram, along with his grandson Huseyn, stepped on a mine. Huseynov rushed to the scene, but as the wounded tried to leave, another mine exploded. Huseynov lost two sons, Razi and Bayram, while he and his son Anar were severely injured. His grandson, Huseyn, suffered light wounds but was left with significant psychological trauma. “I lost two sons in one day,” Huseynov said, his voice filled with sorrow.

Employees of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), including Yadigar Shukurov, Gahraman Rzayev, Najmaddin Huseynov, Mahir Mustafayev, Samir Gozalov, Ali Shukurov, Farid Jabrayilli, Telman Zeynalov, Bahruz Nasirov, and Alasgar Guliyev, also testified. These workers recounted their own traumatic experiences of being injured by mines while conducting demining operations.

Guliyev shared details of the dangerous conditions they face, saying, "I often find PMN series of blast anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, and booby traps during demining. The most dangerous are anti-tank and fragmentation mines. I have also frequently encountered OZM-72 mines, which explode into shrapnel in the air and are also very dangerous."

Other victims of mine explosions shared their personal stories during the session, detailing the locations and circumstances of their injuries.

Following the testimonies, the forensic medical examination reports of the victims were read out in court.

The next court hearing is scheduled for April 29.

To recall, Ruben Vardanyan is charged with crimes under 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 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, their components, 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 or groups not provided for by law) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).