What the Azerbaijani Prosecutor Accuses Ruben Vardanyan Of: Details

In the military court of Baku, during the latest court session regarding fabricated criminal cases against former Artsakh Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan, the senior assistant to the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Vusal Aliyev, stated that numerous court sessions have been held over the course of almost a year. He noted that documents and evidence have been studied, and victims and witnesses have been interrogated.

The prosecution claims that the materials presented during the trial allegedly confirm Vardanyan's guilt in numerous crimes. Aliyev mentioned that information would be presented to the court regarding Vardanyan's actions before and after joining a criminal organization that was supposedly formed in Azerbaijani sovereign territories occupied by Armenia.

The Azerbaijani prosecutor asserted that by joining this organization, Vardanyan recognized the “public danger” of his actions and continued to participate in what the prosecution describes as crimes committed against Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people.

Aliyev also spoke about Ruben Vardanyan's connections with Vova Vardanov, who he characterized as the “founder of the VoMa terrorist organization.” The prosecution claims that Vardanyan and Vardanov maintained contact via the WhatsApp application, discussing issues related to the training of militants, organizing training sessions, and actions against the Azerbaijani armed forces.

According to the indictment, Vardanyan took responsibility for financing this organization and its members. One of the charges against him also relates to the illegal crossing of the Azerbaijani state border. It has been noted that after arriving in Stepanakert in September 2022, he allegedly left the country multiple times and subsequently “illegally returned to Azerbaijan.”

The prosecution has also asserted that with Vardanyan's financing, mine-laying works were carried out, military depots were established near Stepanakert, and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and drones were stored.

Additional charges have been mentioned in court, alleging that Vardanyan initiated a terrorist operation called “Nemesis 2” and was involved in acquiring Malloy-type drones produced in Great Britain in September 2023.

The prosecution has proposed that Ruben Vardanyan be sentenced to life imprisonment, with the sentence's implementation starting from the day of his arrest, September 27, 2023. It was noted that the measure of restraint cannot be changed until the verdict enters into legal force. The next court session is scheduled for December 26.