Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, is facing serious charges including terrorism and war crimes as his trial progresses at the military court in Baku, Azerbaijan. The latest session held on February 25 saw Vardanyan continuing his hunger strike, asserting his commitment to protest the alleged politically motivated nature of his judicial proceedings.
Vardanyan, who has been under detention for over 500 days, stands accused of crimes outlined by the Azerbaijani Penal Code, including planning and conducting war against Azerbaijan, terrorism, and several other violations pertaining to human rights and humanitarian law. The prosecution’s case includes 40 counts against him, which he denies vehemently.
During the recent court hearing, Judge Zeynal Agayev led the proceedings alongside two other judges, Anar Rzaev and Jamal Ramazanov. Vardanyan’s legal team had submitted another motion seeking to dismiss the judges, citing previous similar requests, which were also denied. Prosecutors Vusal Aliyev and Fuad Musayev argued there were no new grounds to warrant reconsidering the judges' legitimacy.
The court session quickly turned serious as Vardanyan expressed feel unwell due to his hunger strike, prompting the judge to call for a medical examination during recess. Despite his deteriorated health, where he reportedly had lost approximately 6 kg, maintained high blood pressure, and experienced dizziness, the judge allowed the trial to proceed after consulting with medical staff.
Vardanyan refused to provide testimony during the trial, and when prosecutors posed questions related to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and his alleged ties to former Armenian officials and organizations, he remained silent.
The next court session is scheduled for March 4, raising concerns among human rights advocates about the fairness and transparency of the trial. Critics of the process assert it constitutes part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to suppress dissent and persecute political opponents from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
International legal representatives, including Jared Gensler, have voiced concerns over Azerbaijan's treatment of Vardanyan, highlighting the potential violations of his rights. Gensler reported the dire consequences of Vardanyan’s hunger strike, which he began as part of his protest against what he deemed a mock trial. He faces life imprisonment under politically charged accusations.
Although Azerbaijan acknowledges holding 23 Armenian prisoners, it has also drawn attention to several others, including high-profile figures from Nagorno-Karabakh, who have been similarly incarcerated under circumstances criticized as unjust.
Following the latest parliamentary discussions, various analysts urge for intervention from international human rights organizations to monitor the trial and assess the treatment of Vardanyan and other detainees. The broader implications of this case on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations continue to raise alarm within diplomatic circles.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues its humanitarian visits to Armenian captives, seeking to provide them with the necessary means to communicate with their families, as part of their monitoring efforts to uphold prisoners' rights.
Detained individuals, including Vardanyan, have declared the legal processes against them amount to political show trials devoid of fair judicial standards. Such characterizations only deepen the divides between the two nations, rooted deeply since the establishment of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territories.
With continuous appeals for the trial’s transparency and humane treatment of Vardanyan, the international community watches closely how Azerbaijan responds to the growing scrutiny. His case not only affects internal political dynamics but also has the potential for broader geopolitical consequences, particularly amid the unresolved tensions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh.