BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. The trial of Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of Armenia accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, as well as terrorism and financing of terrorism under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, and other serious crimes, continued on May 20, Trend reports.
At the open court session held at the Baku Military Court, presided over by judges Zeynal Agayev, Anar Rzayev, and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), the defendant was provided with an interpreter in his native language, Russian, as well as a lawyer of his choice for his defense.
Before the questioning, Judge Zeynal Agayev explained the rights and obligations stipulated by law to the victims who were participating in the court proceedings for the first time.
Subsequently, the defendant Ruben Vardanyan addressed the court and stated that he objected to the panel of judges hearing the case. The defendant's lawyer, Avraam Berman, supported the objection.
Prosecutors representing the state prosecution responded to the objection, stating that the rights of the defendant Ruben Vardanyan, as stipulated in the criminal procedure legislation, were ensured during the preliminary investigation and court proceedings. They also noted that the defense had not presented any concrete evidence confirming that the court panel hearing the case was interested in criminal prosecution and requested that the objection be dismissed.
The victims participating in the proceedings requested the court not to grant the objection.
The court adjourned to deliberate on the motion. After the deliberation, the court's decision regarding the defense's objection was announced. According to the decision, the objection was dismissed.
Presiding Judge Zeynal Agayev, when justifying the decision, stated that the defense had not presented any concrete and reliable evidence, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, that the court panel hearing the case was interested in criminal prosecution.
Subsequently, the court heard the testimonies of the legal successors of the victims and the victims themselves.
The next court session is scheduled for May 27.
Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).