BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. The trial of
Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles of the
Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes
against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of
terrorism and other serious crimes, continued on December 8,
Trend reports.
The open court session at the Baku Military Court was held under
the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev
and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samadova).
The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian, the
language he understands, as well as a state-funded defence
lawyer.
Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, the
prosecutors upholding the state accusation, the interpreters and
others to the victims and legal successors of victims participating
for the first time and explained their statutory rights and
obligations.
After that, the testimonies of the victims were heard.
Victim Nuran Gasimov stated in his testimony that he was injured
in the leg as a result of the enemy’s attack on our territories in
Lachin. In response to questions from state prosecutor Vusal
Abdullayev, he also said that there were others injured at the time
of the incident.
Victim Alimukhtar Ibrahimov stated in his testimony that he was
injured together with Gasimov, who had testified before him. In
response to questions from state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, he
noted that several other people were also injured at that time.
Victim Panah Aliyev stated in his testimony that he was injured
in the head as a result of enemy sabotage in Lachin. In response to
questions from Nasir Bayramov, head of the department of the
Directorate for the Protection of State Prosecution at the
Prosecutor General's Office, he said that several individuals had
received injuries of varying degrees at the time of the
incident.
Answering the questions of Vusal Aliyev, senior assistant to the
Prosecutor General, victim Asgar Baylarov said that he had
sustained a closed craniocerebral injury as a result of enemy
sabotage in Lachin.
Answering the questions of Tugay Rahimli, assistant to the
Prosecutor General for special assignments, victim Ulvi Rahimov
said that he was wounded in the arm as a result of the enemy’s
attack in Lachin.
Answering the questions of state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, victim
Elvin Salimov said that during the enemy’s attack on our
territories in Lachin he sustained injuries to his head area and
hand.
Victim Samir Mammadov also said that he was wounded as a result
of enemy sabotage in Lachin.
The court hearing continued with the announcement of the
testimonies of other victims. Thus, a group of individuals
recognized as victims in the case had previously sent petitions to
the court during earlier hearings, stating that they could not
attend the sessions for valid reasons and confirming the
testimonies they had given during the preliminary investigation. At
previous hearings, the parties did not object to the announcement
of these testimonies in court.
During the announcement of documents, the accused Ruben
Vardanyan made a motion. He said that he wanted to familiarize
himself with certain documents related to the criminal case,
including inquiries.
Vardanyan’s defense lawyer Emil Babishov asked the court to
grant the motion.
Vusal Aliyev, senior assistant to the Prosecutor General,
commented on the motion, stating that the prosecution side does not
object to the defense counsel or the accused himself reviewing the
documents in question.
Judge Aghayev, who presided over the court, stated regarding the
motion that the defense side may familiarize themselves with the
documents during the week, and the necessary conditions will be
created for this.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for December 9.
Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under 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 (violation of international humanitarian law
norms during an 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).
