Baku: Court hearings on the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen charged with torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on March 11, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the open hearings were held at the Baku Military Court and presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel of judges consisting of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, with reserve judge Gunel Samadova. The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian, as well as legal defense.
At the beginning of the hearings, Judge Zeynal Aghayev informed the victims of their rights and obligations as they participated in the trial for the first time. Ruben Vardanyan objected to the panel of judges, citing previous ungranted motions.
Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, addressed the motion, noting that similar petitions had been reviewed in past hearings and decisions made. He emphasized that Vardanyan's objections lacked the necessary legal substantiation, as per Azerbaijani criminal procedure legislation. Consequently, the prosecutor requested the court to dismiss the motion.
Victims in the court hearings supported the prosecution's stance. Presiding Judge Zeynal Aghayev highlighted that Vardanyan had raised similar objections four times without providing new evidence, leading to the dismissal of his objection.
Public prosecutor Tarana Mammadova questioned Vardanyan about the mining of sovereign Azerbaijani territories, arms transport from Armenia, and the Armenian state's involvement. The accused refused to answer.
Witnesses were then called to testify. Judge Zeynal Aghayev reminded them of their legal obligations to provide truthful testimony. Witness Kamo Eduardovich Hayrapetyan, an ethnic Armenian from Karabakh, testified about Vardanyan's involvement in sponsoring and financing groups to fight Azerbaijan. He described Vardanyan's role in facilitating mining operations and establishing military warehouses in Karabakh.
Another witness, Musheg Gurgenovich Grigoryan, recounted Vardanyan's recruitment and training of mercenaries in the Khojaly district. He questioned Vardanyan's motives, suggesting that his actions aimed to harm rather than help the people of Karabakh.
Statements from the State Security Service's preliminary investigation were read aloud, with witnesses confirming their previous testimonies.
Victim Sayyad Alakbarli recounted his injury from a landmine in Khojaly, while other victims, including Jalal Guliyev and Ravan Aghazada, described injuries sustained during military service in Kalbajar. They called for severe punishment for Vardanyan.
The next court hearing is scheduled for March 18. Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, including planning war, deportation, persecution, torture, and terrorism.