Trials have commenced in Azerbaijan against leaders of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, accused of war crimes by Baku, including genocide, terrorism, and violations of international law. Among those charged is Ruben Vardanyan, the former state minister of the self-proclaimed republic.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh stems from ethnic and territorial disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, declared independence from Azerbaijan during the late Soviet era, triggering a war in the early 1990s. A second war in 2020 saw Azerbaijan regain significant territories, leading to the dissolution of the unrecognized Karabakh entity in 2023.
The Azerbaijani government has stated that all defendants will be given a fair trial, including legal representation, translation, and procedural rights. However, international human rights organizations have raised concerns about whether defendants in such politically and emotionally charged cases can receive impartial treatment. Historical tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, combined with strong nationalist sentiments, add to these doubts. Additionally, throughout the various conflicts and tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented human rights violations by both Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, including allegations of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, mistreatment of prisoners of war, and violations of international humanitarian law.
The case is overseen by Zeynal Agayev, Chairman of the Baku Military Court. Experts anticipate significant revelations during the trial, which includes Vardanyan’s preliminary hearing.