The mock trial of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) former state minister Ruben Vardanyan continued Monday in Baku Military Court, in Azerbaijani capital Baku, during which the state prosecutor resumed reading the extensive "indictment," which consists of several volumes and includes events that have no connection with Vardanyan's activities.

The website Freearmenianprisoners.com publicizes brief information about these court hearings, which is made available to Vardanyan's family through a local lawyer.

Accordingly, at Monday court session, Ruben Vardanyan filed a motion to recuse the judicial panel, substantiating his request with the following points:

– Violation of Rights: The panel failed to address procedural rights violations that occurred during the investigation stage.

– Disregard for International Legal Norms: The court ignored applicable international standards that could have ensured fairness in the trial.

– Translation Errors: The materials provided contained serious translation errors that misrepresented the proceedings, which were acknowledged by the court itself.

– Judicial Inconsistencies: The court’s decision during the preparatory hearing reflected only one motion (regarding postponement), while all other motions were dismissed and omitted from the decision.

Vardanyan's lawyer Avraam Berman reinforced the motion to recuse the judicial panel by referencing legal norms and personally confirming the procedural violations he witnessed as a participant in the investigation process.

However, the court did not address the motion during the trial.

Ruben Vardanyan’s court case has been separated from that of the former presidents of Artsakh and others, and the next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

The next hearing in the case of the former presidents of Artsakh and others is scheduled for today.