Another hearing has been held in the criminal case against former State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan in Baku.
Vardanyan faces numerous charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including accusations related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, terrorist financing, and other serious offenses—charges widely considered politically motivated.
During the session, defense attorney Abraham Berman submitted a motion for the recusal of the panel of judges. Vardanyan himself supported the request.
However, court representative Zeynal Agayev responded that the defense had previously filed similar motions and that the current submission lacked new grounds. As a result, the recusal motion was not considered.
Berman then requested a private meeting with his client. The judge granted the request and declared a recess.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz recently stated that in a conversation with Azerbaijani National Security Advisor Hikmet Hajiyev, he emphasized the need to release prisoners and finalize a peace agreement with Armenia. Ruben Vardanyan’s lawyer Jared Genser urged Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to carefully review recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump and Advisor Waltz.
