BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. The trial of Armenian
citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused under the Criminal Code of
the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity,
war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious
crimes, continued on June 3, Trend reports.
The open court session held at the Baku Military Court was
presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and
Jamal Ramazanov also on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samedova).
The accused was provided with a translator and a defense attorney
of his choice and testified in Russian, his preferred language.
Before questioning, Judge Zeynal Agayev explained the rights and
obligations provided by law to the victims participating in the
trial for the first time.
At the beginning of the session, Ruben Vardanyan requested that
a copy of the indictment in his case be provided to his family.
His lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported the request.
Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev responded by
stating that, according to the Criminal Procedure Code, information
from the preliminary investigation—including the indictment and
case materials—constitutes investigative secrecy and may not be
disclosed. Furthermore, the indictment contains personal and family
information about the parties involved in the criminal proceedings,
the dissemination of which is also prohibited by law.
He added that the list of individuals eligible to receive a copy
of the indictment is clearly defined in the Criminal Procedure Code
and does not include family members of the accused.
The prosecution, citing these reasons, requested that the motion
The victims present at the hearing expressed agreement with the
prosecutors’ position.
The panel of judges deliberated on the spot and ruled to deny
the motion.
Explaining the decision, Judge Zeynal Agayev emphasized that
only specific individuals listed in the criminal procedure
legislation are entitled to receive copies of the indictment, and
the accused's family members are not among them.
Following this, Ruben Vardanyan objected to the panel of judges,
citing the refusal to provide the indictment to his family and the
rejection of motions he had previously submitted.
His lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported the objection.
Tugay Rahimli, Special Assistant to the Prosecutor General,
responded by stating that the grounds for challenging a judge under
Article 109 of the Criminal Procedure Code had not been met. He
also noted that Vardanyan had not presented any concrete evidence
showing that the panel of judges was biased or interested in the
outcome of the case, and requested that the objection not be
considered.
The victims present also requested that the objection be
The court recessed for deliberation. After returning, the court
announced its decision regarding the defense's objection. The
objection was dismissed without consideration.
Judge Zeynal Agayev, explaining the decision, stated that the
defense had not submitted specific or credible evidence as required
by the Criminal Procedure Code to prove that the panel of judges
had any interest in the prosecution of the accused. No
circumstances were identified that could compromise the objectivity
or impartiality of the court.
Later in the session, testimonies of the victims were heard.
Victim Ahmad Ahmadov testified that he had been shot as a result
of gunfire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal
Armenian armed groups.
Victim Bahruz Bayramli stated that he had been injured by the
explosion of an artillery shell fired by the enemy in Aghdara.
In his testimony, Oruj Huseynov said he was wounded by a mortar
shell launched by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal
Armenian armed groups. Answering questions from state prosecutor
Fuad Musayev, he added that eight others around him were also
injured in the incident.
Victim Gulverdi Mehtiyev noted that he sustained shrapnel
injuries as a result of gunfire near Khankendi.
Victim Vurghun Orujzade reported being injured by artillery fire
from the Armenian armed forces.
Mammad Bayramov stated that while trying to avoid bullets fired
by Armenian soldiers in Lachin, he changed position, slipped and
fell, injuring his right leg near the knee.
Fagan Ismayilov said he was injured by a mortar shell fired by
Armenian troops in Kalbajar. “At least nine people were seriously
injured at the time. I was one of them,” he said while answering
questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev.
Responding to questions from state prosecutor Terane Mammadova,
Magsud Mansurlu testified that he was wounded in Kalbajar, and that
one person was killed and several others injured during the
Sadig Gasimli stated that he was injured by a mortar explosion
in Shusha, fired by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed
Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, head of a department at
the Prosecutor General’s Office, he added that Ariz Mammadov, Izzat
Baghiyev, and several others—whose names he could not currently
recall—sustained various bodily injuries during the incident.
Victim Khayal Abdullayev said he was injured when a mortar shell
landed and exploded near him in the Khojavand district.
Victim Ikhtiyar Idrisov reported that his son, Bakhtiyar
Idrisov, was killed by gunfire opened by remnants of the Armenian
army and illegal armed groups.
Jafaragha Ismayilov testified that he was injured by the
explosion of a mortar shell that landed near him in the Aghdara
Subhan Abbasov stated that he, along with Tamerlan Rashidli,
Bayram Huseynov, and Revan Mammadov, were injured by gunfire from
Armenian soldiers.
Sahib Aliyev reported that he, along with Iman Nazarov, Arshad
Huseynov, and Eshgin Babazadeh, was wounded by the explosion of a
mortar shell in Aghdara.
Yusif Turabov stated that he was injured by sniper fire from
remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups in the
Aghdara direction.
Victim Haji Kamil Rzayev reported that he was wounded in the
Agdam direction.
Ulfat Humbatov said he was injured by artillery fire from the
enemy in Kalbajar.
Victim Kerem Keremli stated he was wounded in the Agdam–Aghdara
Other victims—Arshad Huseynov, Perviz Aghali, Rail Nazarov,
Kerem Keremli, Arif Gubadov, Rahman Mammadli, Fariz Fatullayev,
Ayaz Jafarli, Tamerlan Rashidli, Terlan Jabbarov, Aslan
Hajihasanov, Elvin Bayramov, Elchin Nasibov, Latif Hacili, Qabil
Yusifov, Murad Naghiyev, Zahid Najafov, Tahir Zamanov, and Rafat
Gambarov—stated in their testimonies that they had been injured by
various large-caliber weapons fired by remnants of the Armenian
army and illegal Armenian armed groups.
In his testimony, Mehman Mammadov said he was injured as a
result of Armenian mine terrorism. He also noted that during mine
clearance in the Jabrayil district, a “Kamaz” truck hit a mine, and
the driver, Mohubbat Mammadli, was severely injured and both of his
legs were amputated.
During the court session, forensic medical examination reports
of the victims were also presented.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 10.
Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of 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 (violations 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, 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).
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