The trial of former Artsakh leaders continued in Baku
On January 27, the trial of former Artsakh leaders continued in Baku. The court rejected the defense’s motion to replace the detention of the former leaders with house arrest. It also denied Ruben Vardanyan’s lawyer’s request for an additional 30 days to familiarize himself with the case materials.
During the previous court hearing, Arayik Harutyunyan, accused of numerous fabricated crimes, stated that he had no health issues. Most of the leaders’ defense attorneys filed motions to replace detention with house arrest. However, unlike the others, Harutyunyan and his lawyer did not request a transfer to house arrest.
The prosecutor opposed these motions, citing the defendants’ profiles, the seriousness and nature of the charges, as well as the risk that changing the detention measure could hinder the impartiality of the judicial process.
On January 27, Ruben Vardanyan’s second trial also took place. Earlier, through his family members, he announced that 42 charges had been brought against him, some of which carry a sentence of life imprisonment. He also revealed that forged records bearing his signature had been fabricated, which do not correspond to reality.
It should be noted that Azerbaijan has illegally detained and brought fabricated charges against former Presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Speaker of the National Assembly Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Defense Minister Davit Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.
Fabricated charges have also been brought against Vasili Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, Davit Alahverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan, and Melikset Pashayan.