The trial against former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan continues in Baku under what many describe as fabricated criminal charges. In the latest hearing, the court dismissed several of Vardanyan’s motions.
Vardanyan is accused of grave crimes under Azerbaijan’s criminal code, including “crimes against humanity,” “terrorism,” and “terrorism financing.”
He had filed a complaint asserting that translators used during the pre-trial phase were unqualified, prompting his lawyer, Abraham Berman, to support his claim by identifying the translators in question.
Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev responded that Vardanyan had not presented specific grounds or evidence proving the translators’ lack of qualifications or bias. On these grounds, he recommended rejecting the complaint.
Judge Zeynal Agayev ruled that the motion was dismissed without deliberation.
Later, Vardanyan submitted another request, noting that he and his attorney reviewed transcripts of a February 25 hearing and found them inaccurate. He argued the court had violated procedural rules and requested a change in the judicial panel. Once again, Berman supported the appeal.
State Prosecutor Fuad Musaev stated that while the defense may object to hearing transcripts, missing information or rejected motions are insufficient grounds to demand a new panel. The court agreed and denied the motion.
Ruben Vardanyan’s case is being handled separately from that of other Armenian detainees held in Baku, including former leaders of Artsakh.
