The Investigation Department of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan has completed an investigation into a criminal case involving terrorism, financing of terrorism, crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and numerous other offenses committed against Azerbaijan and its people.
According to a joint statement from the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, Ruben Karlenovich Vardanyan, who was previously a Russian citizen and is now a citizen of Armenia, founder and former head of the "Troika Dialog" company in Russia, member of the board of directors of "KAMAZ" JSC, independent director of the "Volga-Dnepr" group, and held various other positions, was declared wanted and charged on September 25, 2023, under Articles 214-1, 279.3, and 318.1 of the Criminal Code. He was arrested on September 27, 2023, and handed over to the investigation, where he was formally charged.
Based on collected reliable evidence, the accused Ruben Vardanyan has been held accountable for his involvement in a criminal organization operating in the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh republic," established in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by the Republic of Armenia, as well as for participation in an illegal armed group and organizing their activities. He faces charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100 (planning and waging aggressive war), 107 (deportation or forcible displacement of populations), 109 (persecution), 112 (arbitrary detention in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenarism), 115 (violation of laws and customs of war), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1 (actions threatening aviation security), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of illegal armed formations and groups), 318 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan), and other articles provided for by the legislation.
Throughout the investigation, Vardanyan’s right to defense, the use of his chosen language, and other procedural rights were fully ensured. He was provided with a defense attorney of his choice, and requests made by him and his attorneys were addressed in accordance with criminal procedural law.
Upon completion of the preliminary investigation, Ruben Vardanyan and other participants in the case were informed and allowed to familiarize themselves with the case materials, including physical evidence, documents, expert opinions, and other relevant proofs.
The indictment was approved by the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan on December 28, 2024, and the case has been referred to the Baku Military Court for further proceedings.
