BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. An Armenian-origin individual living in Karabakh testified as a witness at the court hearings in the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other grave offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
The witness noted that Ruben Vardanyan arrived in Khankendi shortly after the 44-day war, but he was unsure whether Vardanyan had come from Russia or elsewhere.
The witness testified that Vardanyan financed and supported groups composed of individuals aged 45-50 to fight against Azerbaijan. “A lot of young people joined those groups. What intrigued me was why the world-famous businessman and oligarch, Ruben Vardanyan – I’m not saying he is my enemy, no – would abandon his business and come to Karabakh?”
The witness explained that individuals were recruited for these groups with payments ranging from 700 to 2,000 dollars and were involved in military training.
Subsequently, the witness’s statement given during the preliminary investigation at the State Security Service was read aloud, and the witness confirmed its accuracy.
The trial will resume after the recess.
