Mine victims testify at Ruben Vardanyan’s trial: “I lost two sons in one day”

The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged with war crimes, crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, and other serious offenses under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, continued on April 22 at the Baku Military Court.

Presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, the hearing was held in an open session. The defendant was provided with a lawyer and a Russian-language interpreter.

The session focused on victim testimonies, most of whom were mine victims with amputated limbs. Many appeared in court on crutches or using canes.

One of the victims, Hasanali Aliyev, testified that on February 4, 2024, while grazing livestock in Giziloba village in the Tartar region, he stepped on a landmine allegedly planted by Armenian forces. “The lower part of my left leg was amputated,” he said.

Another victim, Akif Huseynov, said his family had relocated to the village of Afatli after their home village of Yusifjanli in the Agdam region was occupied. His sons Anar, Razi, and Bayram, along with his grandson Huseyn, triggered a mine while inspecting a field in liberated territory. “I lost two sons in one day,” Huseynov told the court. He and his son Anar were seriously injured, while his grandson suffered minor injuries and psychological trauma.

Other victims, including Nijat Jabbarov, Rafael Bayramov, Alishan Safarov, Faig Safarov, and Ilham Salmanov, testified to suffering serious injuries and amputations from landmines in liberated regions.

Military serviceman Hikmat Abdullayev testified that he was wounded during post-war sabotage operations by Armenian armed groups in Azerbaijani territory.

Demining experts from the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) also testified. Several noted that they encountered anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, including highly dangerous fragmentation mines like the OZM-72.

The court reviewed forensic medical reports confirming the victims’ injuries.

The next court session is scheduled for April 29.

Ruben Vardanyan faces numerous charges, including planning and waging an aggressive war, persecution, forced displacement, torture, terrorism, financing terrorism, illegal possession of weapons, and organizing illegal armed groups, as well as violations of international humanitarian law.