The Date of Araik Harutyunyan and Ruben Vardanyan's Trial is Announced

The trial of Araik Harutyunyan, the former president of the occupied Republic of Artsakh, and Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister, will begin on January 17, as reported by Azerbaijani media citing member of the judges' panel, Anar Rzaev.

It is important to recall that the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has initiated criminal cases against the former military-political leaders of the occupied Republic of Artsakh. Following the massive military aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh in September 2023, they were unlawfully detained and taken to Baku.

They face charges of "terrorism, financing terrorism, creating armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and conducting training for terrorist purposes." Currently, former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Araik Harutyunyan, along with National Assembly Chairman Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former state minister Ruben Vardanyan, and former chief of the military staff Davit Manukyan are unlawfully held in custody in Baku.