The Azerbaijan State News Agency

More than ten victims testify in Ruben Vardanyan's trial VIDEO

Baku, March 18, AZERTAC

Court hearings on the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen charged with torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on March 18.

The open hearings were held at the Baku Military Court and presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel of judges consisting of Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in the language of his choice, i.e. Russian, as well as lawyers for his defense.

At the beginning of the hearing, Ruben Vardanyan's defense attorney Avraam Berman filed a motion with the court, requesting that the court create conditions for familiarization with the minutes of the hearing and the audio recording attached to them.

The prosecution did not object to the motion.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev granted the motion and stated that the accused and his defense attorney would be provided the opportunity for further familiarization with the minutes of the hearing.

Then, the victims in the case were questioned.

Before the questioning, Zeynal Aghayev explained to the victims their rights and obligations stipulated by the legislation.

Victims Rahib Fataliyev, Sakhavat Rajabov, Farid Mammadov, Sanan Mirzaliyev, Samir Malikov, Jeyhun Khankishiyev, Alasgar Jafarov, Safa Mammadov, Alish Shamiyev, Eldar Huseynov, Elvin Taghiyev and others stated that they knew Ruben Vardanyan through the media and social networks, that they had received various degrees of bodily injuries as a result of gunfire from various weapons, including hand grenade explosions, during the Armenian military provocation while doing their military service in Kalbajar and Khojaly districts, the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan that were once occupied by Armenia.

Each of the victims asked the court to hand down the most severe punishment on the accused Ruben Vardanyan.

After the questioning, the victims answered the questions of prosecutors in charge of public prosecution about their places of service, the specific areas where the military provocations were committed, the severity and localization of the injuries sustained as a result of the incident.

Then, the conclusions of the forensic medical examination conducted on the victims who testified during the hearings on March 11 were announced.

The next court hearing is scheduled for April 1.

Ruben Vardanyan is charged with crimes under 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 (violation 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, their components, 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 or groups not provided for by law) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

More than ten victims testify in Ruben Vardanyan's trial VIDEO

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

From Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania

From Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia

World Bank cuts global growth outlook to 2.5%, warns of drop to 1.3% if war fallout spreads to markets

Top stories update

Trump says his 'preference' is to take Iran's Kharg Island

ECB raises interest rates for the first time in three years as Iran war fuels inflation

Japanese media highlights Azerbaijan’s strategic importance

Azerbaijan’s Economic Council discusses development of Alat Free Economic Zone

Woman arrested for trespassing after ‘hiding in toilet at end of parliament tour’

International conference on “German Architecture in Azerbaijan” kicks off in Baku

OPEC again lowers 2026 global oil demand growth forecast

® Azercell supports first local stage of RobotChallenge competition

Volkan Yilmaz: Türkiye-Azerbaijan brotherhood is of great importance to us

Expert: Reconstruction of Garabagh creates a unique opportunity to build inclusive communities from scratch

17 wagons of diesel fuel sent from Azerbaijan to Armenia

Baku hosts discussions on new geopolitical realities in South Caucasus and Azerbaijan's peace agenda

Nearly 3,000 NHS patients subjected to corridor care every day, new figures show

Pashinyan voices hope for early implementation of TRIPP project

Azerbaijan and Iran sign protocol on cooperation in increasing freight transport

National Liberation Day commemorated at Baku Engineering University

Azerbaijan, Romania explore cultural cooperation

Leaves reveal hidden trail of ‘forever chemicals,’ study finds

Israel and Germany partner on next-generation intelligence satellite constellation

Mikayil Jabbarov: The non-oil and gas sector has already become the driving force of our economy – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Iran hands over 408 inmates to Afghanistan

Congratulations from Hussein Al Sheikh, Vice President of the State of Palestine, to Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of May 28 – Independence Day

We must support Kyiv, keep up pressure on Russia says Meloni

Senior Advisor at Board of Peace: We can transform Middle Corridor into a primary trade route in the world

Uzbekistan studies Germany’s dual education experience

Resilient Pakistan posts 3.7% GDP growth amid floods, global shocks: Aurangzeb

Tajikistan, China expand education cooperation with focus on Chinese language and digital learning

Greek ambassador to Azerbaijan visits ASAN Khidmet center

Emirates Drug Establishment approves innovative ESR1-targeted breast cancer treatment 'Etcamah'

Citizens of the Republic of Moldova working in Slovakia to be eligible for pensions

Ulaanbaatar hosts 15th Asian Tourism Forum

Black Sea hotel operators: Tourism remains resilient despite market challenges

Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland to expand cooperation in organic agriculture

From Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam

BTA Director General calls for National support programmes for regional media in Bulgaria

Israeli study suggests fat loss ‘memory’ could change how doctors treat obesity

Azerbaijan and Iran approve operational modes for distribution of Araz River’s water resources

3 officers among 22 security personnel killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir chopper crash

China launches new communication technology test satellite

Chairman of Board: Alat Free Economic Zone plays role of a regional production and logistics center

Azerbaijan is ready to partner with U.S. in shaping the industries and technologies of the future, says adviser to minister

‘Azerbaijan is successfully transitioning from a resource-based economy to an innovation-driven model’

GDP in Nakhchivan rises by 2.2 percent

Azerbaijani companies can compete globally, says deputy minister

AIR Center Chairman: Azerbaijan's principled position towards Armenia remains unchanged

4SIM Executive Director: Azerbaijan has great potential to become a regional hub for AI economy

Farid Shafiyev: For lasting peace to be achieved, Azerbaijan's legitimate demands must be fully met

“NI – Natural Intelligence” exhibition opens at Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum

Measles cases in Bulgaria Reach 364, including 300 children

AmCham: Our goal is to create opportunities for effective collaboration between public and private sectors

BTA and CEM organize National Debate on future of regional news

Guterres warns of risk of new full-scale war in Gulf region

In the footsteps of history: A journey to Shamkir’s “Little Germany” VIDEO

In the footsteps of history: A journey to Shamkir’s “Little Germany” VIDEO

Refugee numbers drop for first time in a decade, but millions remain trapped

The temple of Azerbaijani football — Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium VIDEO

The temple of Azerbaijani football — Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium VIDEO

Earthquake strikes Armenia, tremors felt in Nakhchivan

Fire breaks out on tanker off Omani coast, UKMTO says

Top stories update

Baku hosts “TECHNOVATION: Science and Innovation for Sustainable Economic Transformation” conference

Azerbaijan and Austria hold first consular consultations in Baku

475 tick bite cases recorded in Kazakhstan's Shymkent

Washington-hosted Trans Caspian Forum highlights growing strategic role of Middle Corridor VIDEO

Washington-hosted Trans Caspian Forum highlights growing strategic role of Middle Corridor VIDEO

Knicks complete NBA Finals record 29-point comeback to seal Game 4 win over Spurs

10th China-South Asia Expo opens in SW China to facilitate regional trade

Deadly Indonesia floods wiped out at least 7% of rare orangutan population, report says

American expert: TRIPP Corridor holds real promise both for Central Asia and South Caucasus

5.3-million-year-old whale graveyard hotspot found in Indian Ocean

Gold prices drop to $4118 on global markets VIDEO

Gold prices drop to $4118 on global markets VIDEO

Chinese researchers treat rare disease via new RNA editing technology

Uganda goes five days without new Ebola case

Oil prices rise in world markets VIDEO

Oil prices rise in world markets VIDEO

Azeri Light sells for $96 VIDEO

Azeri Light sells for $96 VIDEO

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense extends condolences to Pakistani side

Kuwait reopens airspace, airport returns to normal operations

Blast in China's Guangxi kills seven, injures 17

Bodies of Azerbaijani citizens killed in Sea of Azov vessel attack repatriated to the country

After troubled World Cup lead-in, UN human rights chief urges ‘rethink’ of US immigration policy

Hikmet Hajiyev: Under circumstances of escalation of conflict in Middle East, Middle Corridor gains additional significance

Media Development Agency hosts public discussion of draft law on protection of children from harmful information

Presidential Assistant: Turkic World is becoming a new political reality and platform for cooperation across wider Eurasian continent

Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage showcased at Silk Road – 2026 festival

Top stories update

U.S. Embassy delegation tours Azerbaijan Sports Academy

Hikmet Hajiyev: Establishment of peace in the region provided new opportunities in Azerbaijan's foreign policy

President of Serbia receives Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense

Washington hosts Trans Caspian Forum 2026

® Baku hosts “Force of Love” 2026 Summer Festival

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova meets with Indonesian Ambassador to Azerbaijan

From Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania

German ambassador commends progress in Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process

Five Azerbaijani sailors ready for action at 2026 Optimist World Championship

Official reception in Rabat marks Azerbaijan’s Independence Day

® Birbank introduces new opportunity: Pensioners up to the age of 73 can now apply for loans

Azerbaijan, UK hold talks on draft Convention to eliminate double taxation

Azerbaijan, UK explore prospects for demining cooperation

Minister: Close sports cooperation is the logical outcome of the task set before us by the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Serbia – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW