On January 17, a military court in Baku began proceedings against eight former leaders of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, who are accused of crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, and violations of international law. The defendants include three former presidents of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic—Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Araik Harutyunyan—as well as former Foreign Minister David Babayan, Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan, former Defense Army Commander General Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Defense Minister General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. Azerbaijani authorities do not recognize them as legitimate leaders, while Armenia has distanced itself from their actions.

The charges encompass a range of serious offenses, including crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, forced displacement, military looting, and other illegal acts allegedly committed against Azerbaijan and its citizens. The trial also seeks to establish Armenia’s state responsibility as an occupying force. During the first court session, interpreters were provided for the defendants, and their rights and obligations were explained. The prosecution was joined by representatives of over 531,000 victims.

In court, Araik Harutyunyan expressed regret for his previous statement regarding missile strikes on Ganja during the 44-day war, stating that he had not ordered the strikes. The proceedings were subsequently adjourned to January 21.

In a separate case, Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen, faces charges of torture, mercenary activities, war crimes, and financing terrorism. During the preliminary hearing, his personal details were confirmed, and he was provided with defense counsel and a Russian-language interpreter. Vardanyan requested additional time to review the case materials, which the court granted, but his request to merge his case with those of 15 other Armenian suspects was denied. His hearing will continue on January 27.

International legal adviser Jared Genser, representing Vardanyan, highlighted numerous violations of international law and fair trial standards during the proceedings. Genser pointed out serious breaches of fair trial guarantees, such as late access to case files, which Vardanyan’s legal team received only a week before the trial. Vardanyan, a Russian billionaire who moved to Nagorno-Karabakh after the 2020 war, has become a prominent figure in the region and is believed to have been specifically targeted by Baku. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. Meanwhile, Baku claims that Vardanyan, who had ties to Vladimir Putin's inner circle, was sent to Nagorno-Karabakh on direct orders from the Kremlin to maintain Russian influence in the region.

Vardanyan’s family has expressed deep concern about his health, citing limited communication through brief phone calls facilitated by the Red Cross. They, along with his lawyer, have been denied direct visits. Genser argued that the Azerbaijani government is using these trials to dismantle the remnants of Nagorno-Karabakh's former state structures.