In Baku, the trial of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan continues separately from other cases. The presiding judge announced the commencement of the judicial investigation and began reading the final part of the indictment.

According to the indictment, Vardanyan joined and led a "criminal organization," acting in line with its objectives, as reported by Minval.az . The document also mentions former Armenian presidents and officials, including National Hero Monte Melkonian.

The prosecutor stated that this criminal group was established with the participation and leadership of Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Samvel Babayan, Vitali Balasanyan, Zori Balayan, Seyran Ohanyan, Monte Melkonian, and others. It conducted coordinated and large-scale military operations against the Republic of Azerbaijan, operating with the support of Armenian authorities and armed forces under centralized command and strict control.

The reading of the indictment will continue at the next session on February 10.

On February 6, the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, also began hearings on criminal cases against Artsakh's political and military leadership, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. They face serious charges, including "war crimes, genocide, terrorism, and financing terrorism."

The prosecutor claimed that "this trial is taking place to restore justice." He added that during the judicial examination, it will become clear that the investigated and presented crimes were committed as a result of political, military, material, and other support from the Armenian state, following instructions and directives from the Armenian political and military leadership, as reported by Minval.az .

The indictment lists the names of former Armenian presidents and officials. The trial of Artsakh's political and military leadership will continue on February 7.

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