A court hearing scheduled for 30 December in the criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan has been postponed for an indefinite period, Azerbaijan’s judicial authorities have said.
According to the statement, the delay stems from the fact that the panel of judges assigned to Vardanyan’s case is currently in deliberations on a separate high-profile trial involving 15 Armenian nationals. The panel is chaired by judge Zeynal Agayev and includes judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, with Gunel Samedova serving as a reserve judge.
The court indicated that the next hearing in Vardanyan’s case will be scheduled once the judges return from those deliberations, without specifying a new date or timeframe. That leaves the proceedings in limbo for now, with the defence and observers waiting to see when the trial will resume.
Vardanyan faces a wide range of charges under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism and terrorism financing. The indictment also cites planning and waging an aggressive war, deportation and forcible transfer of civilians, persecution, enforced disappearances, unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture and mercenarism.
Prosecutors further accuse him of violating the laws and customs of war and breaching international humanitarian law during armed conflict, as well as multiple counts of premeditated murder and attempted murder. Economic and security-related accusations are also included, such as illegal entrepreneurship, creating and financing terrorist activities, forming criminal and armed groups not provided for by law, illegal possession and trafficking of weapons and explosives, acts posing threats to aviation security, attempts to seize or retain power by force and illegal crossing of the state border.
Vardanyan has denied wrongdoing. His defence team has previously described the array of allegations as politically motivated, arguing that the case is driven by broader tensions rather than by evidence of individual criminal responsibility.
U.S. President Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal and talks conclude...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news st...
Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday (21 April), accusing Israeli forces of violating a cease...
The European Commission is set to outline new measures to ease pressure on households and businesses as Europe faces a new energy cris...
Israel’s military has removed two soldiers from combat duty and sentenced them to 30 days in detention after a crucifix was damaged in the vi...
How do political narratives travel from Moscow to Westminster?
Ruben Vardanyan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Baku Military Court after being found guilty of a series of offences including war crimes, terrorism and crimes against humanity.
The name Ruben Vardanyan has become a focal point of international headlines following his high-profile arrest by Azerbaijani authorities in late 2023. He has many titles, billionaire, philanthropist, and formerly so-called State Minister of the unrecognised Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijani non-governmental organisations have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to reject an appeal by the U.S.-based Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention. The appeal urges Washington to pressure Azerbaijan to release detainees of Armenian origin, including Ruben Vardanyan.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday (21 April), accusing Israeli forces of violating a ceasefire agreed last week. In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted a position that had been used to strike southern Lebanon.
Israel’s military has removed two soldiers from combat duty and sentenced them to 30 days in detention after a crucifix was damaged in the village of Debel, southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s prime minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to discuss strengthening Beirut’s position ahead of possible direct talks with Israel in the U.S. later this week.
Türkiye has delivered 360 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon’s Port of Beirut as ongoing Israeli attacks continue to displace civilians, particularly in the country’s south.
Kazakhstan and Mongolia have agreed to expand trade, energy and transport cooperation following high-level talks between their leaders in Astana.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment