On September 9, the trial in the fabricated criminal case against prominent businessman, philanthropist, and former State Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, continued.
The court proceeded with hearing testimonies from the so-called "victims," who spoke about their injuries and Azerbaijan's military operations in the Artsakh region—despite the fact that Vardanyan neither took part in any hostilities nor was present in Artsakh during the 2020 war.
The session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (alternate judge: Gunel Samedova) also participating. According to Azertag, Vardanyan was provided with a Russian-language interpreter and was represented by a lawyer of his choosing.
Judge Aghayev introduced for the first time the newly involved victims and their legal successors, presented the court panel, prosecution team, translators, and other participants, and explained their legal rights and obligations as per legislation.
At the end of the hearing, forensic medical reports regarding the victims were disclosed.
The next court session is scheduled for September 16.
In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Artsakh, Azerbaijan captured former Artsakh leaders including ex-presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and others. The fabricated charges against them could lead to life imprisonment. The staged trial began in Baku on January 17, with Vardanyan’s case being tried separately.
