The fabricated trial of Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, has commenced in Baku. The proceedings are being held in the Baku Military Court under the presidency of Judge Zeynal Aghayev. Azerbaijani media outlets report that Vardanyan faces multiple charges, which his defense team has described as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
Charges Presented by Prosecutors
During the previous hearing on February 13, the prosecution listed several charges, including:
- Illegal border crossing in September 2022 via the Lachin corridor,
- Damage to Azerbaijani military stockpiles amounting to 908 million manat,
- Ecological damage to Azerbaijani territory valued at 13.4 billion manat,
- Planning terrorist activities under the alleged “Nemesis-2” operation.
Prosecutors claim Vardanyan entered Azerbaijani-controlled territory without permission, raised funds via organizations like the “Aurora” Foundation, and financed military equipment procurement and training through the “VoMa” foundation.
Defense’s Response
Vardanyan and his defense attorney Avraham Berman rejected the charges as baseless and politically motivated. The defense highlighted the following points:
- The accusations rely heavily on assumptions and speculation.
- Key witnesses are Azerbaijani state officials, raising concerns about impartiality.
- The evidence presented does not establish a direct link between Vardanyan and the alleged crimes.
Additionally, the defense pointed to several violations of Vardanyan’s legal rights, including:
- Limited access to legal counsel,
- Delayed translation services for communication in his native language,
- Inadequate healthcare during detention.
International Reactions and Implications
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have expressed concerns regarding the fairness and transparency of this fabricated trial and similar court proceedings in Baku. Legal analysts suggest that such cases are often employed as tools to suppress political dissent in Azerbaijan.
Despite these criticisms, Azerbaijani authorities maintain that the fake trial follows due process and is supported by sufficient evidence.