A new hearing was held in Baku concerning the trumped-up cases against the political and military leadership of Artsakh and other Armenian prisoners of war. The court denied petitions to change the detention measures for Armenian captives to house arrest.
The petition of former State Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, whose case is being handled separately, was also rejected. Vardanyan had requested an additional 30 days to familiarize himself with the case materials, according to Minval.az .
"I want to be legally prepared to defend myself," he said.
Vardanyan’s lawyer, Abraham Berman, supported the petition and demanded legal literature for his client.
The prosecutor argued that sufficient time had already been provided to the defense, including an additional 10 days granted during the previous hearing. The prosecution proposed submitting the case to court and leaving the detention measures unchanged.
Vardanyan’s lawyer objected to transferring the case and requested the session's postponement.
After deliberations, the court rejected all of Vardanyan's petitions, including the request for more time to review the case materials. The case was transferred to court, and the next session was scheduled for February 6.
In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh, Azerbaijan captured former Artsakh leaders Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and several other officials. The fabricated charges against them could result in life imprisonment. The first court hearing on the Artsakh leaders' case took place in Baku on January 17.
On January 16, Ruben Vardanyan stated in an address that since his arrest, he has not given any testimony except for his name. He emphasized that all protocols issued under his signature are falsified and confirmed that he, his lawyer, and his interpreter have been subjected to pressure.
