The trial of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan is drawing international attention, as he faces serious charges of war crimes and terrorism, while Ukrainian lawmakers intensify their criticism over his alleged ties to the Kremlin.
The trial against Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen accused of torture, mercenary activities, war crimes, terrorism, and financing terrorism, is underway in Azerbaijan. He is alleged to have funded and organized illegal armed groups in Karabakh. V
ardanyan’s controversial background extends beyond the current charges. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed his involvement in transferring billions through offshore accounts via his company, "Troika Dialog," allegedly benefiting Russian oligarchs and state-linked entities. He renounced his Russian citizenship in 2022 to avoid Western sanctions but was later sanctioned by Ukraine for supporting the Russian occupation army.
His trial has reignited debates among Ukrainian lawmakers regarding his international criminal activities. Yuriy Kamelchuk, an MP from the Servant of the People party, posted videos online, stating that Vardanyan is completely discredited.
He added that if Vardanyan were not in custody in Azerbaijan, he should be delivered to Ukraine or Lithuania, referring to the 'Myrotvorets' website, which calls for his immediate detention and transfer to law enforcement agencies of Ukraine or NATO countries.
Mykola Halushko, Kamelchuk's party colleague, labeled Vardanyan as “Putin's Russian puppet and wallet” on Facebook. His statement was backed by Oleksandr Fediyenko, who emphasized Vardanyan’s closeness to Putin and his role as a financial supporter of Russian aggression. Fediyenko noted that since 2019, Vardanyan’s name has appeared in investigations and sanctions lists of the USA, EU, and Ukraine.
Tatyana Grischenko, another Ukrainian MP, condemned Vardanyan’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination. She expressed hope that the Azerbaijani court would end his influence as a “hero” of Kremlin propaganda, stating that Ukraine, the USA, and the EU have already sanctioned him, but sanctions alone are not enough, and only a real prison term will stop this crime machine.
Ruben Vardanyan relocated to Karabakh in 2022 and became State Minister in the unrecognized "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic." His arrest on September 27, 2023, was a turning point. Azerbaijani forces detained him while he attempted to cross into Armenia, citing substantial evidence of terrorism and other crimes.
The trial continues to attract international attention as political figures and governments respond to the allegations and ongoing legal proceedings.
The Pentagon says U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have degraded Tehran’s programme by as much as two years, following attacks last month that ...
A CIA review has identified procedural flaws in a 2016 assessment that Russia sought to help Donald Trump win the U.S. presidency, but it did not chal...
A bus operated by Kern Transit overturned on Tuesday morning, after hitting railway tracks alongside Sierra Highway in Lancaster, California, accordin...
Scientists have sequenced the full genome of a man buried in pharaonic Egypt over 4,500 years ago, revealing that about 20% of his ancestry came from ...
A federal judge has halted President Donald Trump’s controversial asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border, ruling that the move oversteps his executive...
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced the successful conclusion of negotiations with the European Union on a new Partnership Agenda following the official visit of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to Yerevan.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will not attend the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Foreign Ministers Council scheduled for Monday in Kyrgyzstan, according to a statement from Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.
Armenia says it is ready to discuss the place and date for signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, according to Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
Russia has expressed its readiness to support the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia to ensure regional stability and security.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A bus operated by Kern Transit overturned on Tuesday morning, after hitting railway tracks alongside Sierra Highway in Lancaster, California, according to authorities. Approximately 20 people, including an eight-year-old boy, were reported injured in the accident, according to emergency services.
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev jointly inaugurated the new embassy of Uzbekistan in Baku, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral strategic partnership on 2 July.
The Türkiye-China Media Forum was held in Ankara on 2 July. Organised by the Communications Directorate of the Turkish Presidency, the event marked the fourth in a series of international media forums conducted within the framework of Türkiye’s Communications Model.
On 2 July, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, held a meeting with the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar.
The Women's Forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) commenced on 2 July in the city of Lachin, located in Azerbaijan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment