The trial in the cases of Arayik Harutyunyan and Ruben Vardanyan will begin on January 17.

The trial in the cases of former President of the occupied Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan will begin on January 17, Azerbaijani media reported, citing Anar Rzayev, a member of the panel of judges.

It should be recalled that the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has initiated criminal cases against the former military and political leaders of the occupied Republic of Artsakh. As a result of Azerbaijan's massive military aggression against the Republic of Artsakh in September 2023, they were illegally detained and taken to Baku. They are charged with "terrorism, financing terrorism, creating armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and conducting exercises for the purpose of terrorism."

Currently, former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, NA Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, and former Chief of the Armed Forces Staff Davit Manukyan are being held under illegal detention in Baku.