Trial Date Set for Former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister - The Caucasian Knot

The Baku Military Court will begin hearing the case of Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, on January 17, Orda reports, citing The Caucasian Knot.

Judge Zeynal Agayev will preside over the proceedings.

Vardanyan was detained by Azerbaijani forces on September 27, 2023, while attempting to leave Karabakh for Armenia.

Initially charged with terrorism financing, organizing illegal armed groups, and illegal border crossing, he now faces approximately 45 additional charges under 20 articles of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code.

If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

The case follows Vardanyan's tenure in Karabakh, where he served as state minister from October 2022 to February 2023.

He had renounced his Russian citizenship in September 2022 to take the position.