Baku court rejects bid to change restraint for Armenian detainees

PanARMENIAN.Net - On January 21, a preparatory hearing in the fabricated trial of former Artsakh leaders continued at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev.

According to Azerbaijani media, the accused were provided with Armenian interpreters as well as legal counsel.

After a recess, most of the defense attorneys submitted a motion to replace detention with house arrest, which was denied, Minval.az reports.

According to APA, the prosecution team includes six prosecutors.

Several so-called witnesses also testified during the court session.

The preliminary hearing in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh, will continue on January 27. Vardanyan, who was previously a citizen of Russia, faces charges under several articles, including "terrorism, its financing, and illegal crossing of Azerbaijan's border."

In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade in Artsakh and the ethnic cleansing of its entire Armenian population, Azerbaijan detained former presidents of Artsakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and other former officials. The fabricated charges against them could result in life imprisonment. On January 17, the first hearing in the case against the Artsakh leaders took place in Baku.

In a statement on January 16, Ruben Vardanyan noted that since his arrest, he has given no testimony other than stating his name. He emphasized that all protocols bearing his signature are forged and confirmed that he, his lawyer, and his interpreter have been subjected to pressure.