Baku Court dismisses protest against Vardanyan's trial, victims detail horrors of Armenian attacks PHOTO

The trial of Armenian national Ruben Vardanyan, facing serious 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 May 6, with testimonies from victims at the Baku Military Court. Vardanyan’s legal team filed a protest against the judicial panel, citing concerns over impartiality, but the court ultimately rejected the protest and proceeded with the trial.

The open hearings 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.

During the trial, the defense lawyer, Avraham Berman, argued that upon reviewing the minutes of the February 6 hearing, substantive grounds emerged for challenging the composition of the judicial panel. He contended that the minutes failed to adequately document the court's response to the defense’s motions, thereby casting serious doubt on the objectivity and impartiality of the panel. On these grounds, both the defense counsel and the accused, Ruben Vardanyan, formally lodged a protest against the judicial panel.

However, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, argued that the concerns raised by the defense were not grounds for recusal. He further accused the defense of attempting to delay the proceedings using such tactics. The victims participating in the trial also voiced opposition to the defense’s petition. After deliberating, the court decided to leave the protest without consideration, and the trial proceeded with victim testimonies.

During today’s session, several victims of attacks linked to Vardanyan’s alleged actions provided emotional testimony. Mahir Huseynov recounted his injury from an artillery shell fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed formations in Syrkhavand village, Aghdara district. He described ongoing shelling and the mining of supply routes by Armenian forces.

Another victim, Madat Rzayev, detailed his serious injuries while on duty in Lachin district, recounting how heavy artillery fire struck their supply routes from behind a hill, leaving him wounded.

Victim Mehman Hasanov testified that he had been deployed as an excavator operator to the village of Mollalar in Aghdam district to perform duties as part of a road construction project. On one of the workdays, while positioned beside his excavator, he heard the sudden detonation of artillery shells. In an attempt to seek shelter, Hasanov fled to a nearby wooded area. However, a shell landed approximately 80 metres from his location, causing injuries to his right knee. He was subsequently transported to the Aghdam Central District Hospital for medical treatment.

Sadig Bakhshiyev testified that he was wounded by sniper fire from Armenian forces in Aghdara district, an injury classified as causing serious harm to his health.

Jasarat Hasanzada, another victim, recounted his injury from a FAGOT-type anti-tank missile fired by Armenian armed forces in Aghdara district. He was wounded alongside his fellow soldier, Warrant Officer Akif Koroghluyev, while others in their group were also injured, and their commander, Fuzuli Mammadov, was killed.

The conclusions of the forensic medical examinations for the victims were submitted and reviewed during the session.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 13.

To recall, Ruben Vardanyan is charged under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan with numerous serious crimes, including waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, enforced disappearances, illegal imprisonment, torture, mercenary activities, violations of the laws of war and international humanitarian law, multiple counts of intentional and attempted murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism and its financing, creating a criminal group, illegal arms trafficking, threats to aviation safety, attempted seizure of power, forming illegal armed groups, and unlawful border crossing.

By Vafa Guliyeva