Ukrainian MPs see Armenian separatist Vardanyan's trial as crucial moment for international legal accountability Demand justice for his war crimes

Ukrainian Members of Parliament (MPs) from the “Servant of the People” party, Anatoly Kostyukh and Volodymyr Vatras, have voiced their opinions on the ongoing trial of Ruben Vardanyan, the former leader of the self-declared “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” now facing charges in Baku, Caliber.Az reports.

Anatoly Kostyukh spoke about the trial's significance:

"Hi friends, I have good news! Ruben Vardanyan, the former ‘leader’ of the illegal entity ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,’ has been on trial in Baku since January 17. He is accused of separatism and other crimes against the statehood of Azerbaijan. But Vardanyan's role goes far beyond the region. He was known as ‘Putin's wallet’ and financed Russian aggression against Ukraine, and has been placed on sanctions lists in many countries, including Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union. In 2023, the SBU included him in the ‘Peacemaker’ database, and already in 2024, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize, of course, at the initiative of Russia. This caused massive outrage: 123 deputies from four countries were against it. I was one of them, by the way."

Kostyukh stressed the importance of the trial in Baku, saying, “It is important that the trial in Baku becomes an example of international justice and helps to stop those who support authoritarian regimes, especially if these regimes closely cooperate with Putin. Thank you.”

Volodymyr Vatras, another MP from the “Servant of the People” party, echoed Kostyukh's remarks, recalling the appeal signed by parliamentarians across Europe:

“Parliamentarians of several European countries, including myself, once signed an appeal on the inadmissibility of awarding the Nobel Prize to Mr. Vardanyan. At present, this man is awaiting a fair trial in Baku for the acts he is accused of. I wish a lawful and fair verdict.”

The trial, which is focused on Vardanyan’s involvement in numerous serious charges, including torture, mercenary activities, violations of the laws and customs of war, financing terrorism, and other criminal activities under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, continues in Baku.

To recall, Ruben Vardanyan has been charged with committing acts outlined in Articles 100 (planning, preparation, initiation, or waging aggressive war), 107 (deportation or forced relocation of the population), 109 (persecution), 112 (imprisonment in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary activity), 115 (violations of the laws and customs of war), 116 (violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), 214 (terrorism), and 214-1 (financing terrorism) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Additionally, he is accused of committing acts outlined in Articles 218 (organization of a criminal community or organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of weapons, parts for them, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices), 270-1 (acts creating threats to aviation security), 278 (violent seizure of power or violent retention of power, violent change of the constitutional order of the state), 279 (creation of unauthorized armed formations or groups), 318 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan), and other articles of this code.

By Tamilla Hasanova