VIDEO: Trial of Vagif Khachatryan Begins in Baku; Lawyer Refuses to Represent Him

The trial of Vagif Khachatryan has commenced in Baku, according to Azerbaijani media reports.

Reports indicate that attorney Natig Beybalaev has declined to represent Vagif Khachatryan due to health issues. Radmila Abilova will now defend his rights.

Footage released shows a man approaching Vagif Khachatryan, with Azerbaijani websites reporting that he asked, 'Do you recognize me?'

It is noteworthy that during the first court session on October 13, the court upheld the measure of restraint imposed on Vagif Khachatryan (three months of incarceration).

On July 29, representatives of Azerbaijan's border service abducted 68-year-old Vagif Khachatryan from an illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint in the Berdzor corridor, as he was being transferred from Artsakh to Armenia through the International Committee of the Red Cross for medical treatment. Azerbaijan has stated that Khachatryan was 'on an international wanted list.'

In Baku, he is accused of 'genocide and the deportation of Azerbaijanis,' with the alleged crime occurring in December 1991 in the village of Meshali, Khojaly region.