Court announces indictment episodes in case of former occupation junta leaders

During the session, episodes from the indictment were announced regarding acts of genocide against the Azerbaijani population and acts of terror committed during the aggressive war waged by the state of Armenia and a criminal group led by and involving Robert Sedrakovich Kocharyan, Serzh Azatovich Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitaliy Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zoriya Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Gharamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The indictment outlines that this aggression against Azerbaijan, which violated both domestic and international laws, was carried out under the direct leadership, participation, oral and written orders, instructions, and guidance of high-ranking Armenian officials. The aggression was supported with material, technical, and personnel resources, under centralized management and strict control by senior Armenian authorities, their armed forces, and illegal armed formations. The acts of aggression included the mining of previously occupied Azerbaijani territories, torture of captured Azerbaijani civilians and prisoners, and other crimes. The circumstances leading to the initiation of counter-terrorism operations by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were also detailed.

According to the indictment, between September 12 and 14, 2022, during intensive shelling with large-caliber weapons, mortars, and artillery from Armenian military positions on Azerbaijani Armed Forces posts and headquarters in Zangilan, Gubadli, Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts:

• 77 Azerbaijani servicemen were deliberately killed.
• Attempts were made to kill 435 Azerbaijani servicemen.
• A civilian resident of the Kalbajar district was seriously injured.

In conclusion, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev read out the relevant articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code under which Ruben Vardanyan is charged.

Ruben Vardanyan is accused of the following crimes under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

• Article 100: Planning, preparing, unleashing, or waging an aggressive war
• Article 107: Deportation or forcible transfer of the population
• Article 109: Persecution
• Article 112: Unlawful deprivation of liberty under international law
• Article 113: Torture
• Article 114: Mercenarism
• Article 115: Violation of the laws and customs of war
• Article 116: Violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts
• Article 214: Terrorism
• Article 214-1: Financing terrorism

Additionally, he faces charges under:

• Article 218: Organization of a criminal community (criminal organization)
• Article 228: Illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices
• Article 270-1: Acts threatening aviation security
• Article 278: Violent seizure or retention of power, violent change of the constitutional order
• Article 279: Creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law
• Article 318: Illegal crossing of the state border of Azerbaijan

The announcement of the indictment’s final part concluded the court session.