Facebook* users debated Vardanyan's involvement in the fighting in Karabakh.

Ruben Vardanyan was not involved in the military actions that took place in Karabakh before he moved there, Armenian social media users commented on the victims' testimonies. Azerbaijani users are convinced that the war crimes charges brought against Vardanyan are justified.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," another hearing in the case of former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan took place on November 21. Azerbaijani citizens recognized as victims testified at the hearing. They told the court about shelling that had been carried out by the Armenian side long before Vardanyan's move to Karabakh.

Analysts called the trial of former Karabakh leaders a formality

Facebook* users left comments under the post As of 11:50 a.m. Moscow time, there were over 800 comments on the "Caucasian Knot" thread about the Vardanyan case hearing. Many users with nicknames containing Armenian and Russian surnames questioned Vardanyan's culpability for events that occurred before his arrival in Karabakh.

"If an event occurred long before his arrival, what does he have to do with it? Shooting is normal in war," wrote Nelli Abrahamyan.

"What does Ruben Vardanyan have to do with this? You're creating an artificial case," said Ruzan Grigoryan. "The circus continues. What does Ruben have to do with the shelling if it happened before he arrived?" – Mikael Kiselev asked.

"Virtually not a single victim testified against Vardanyan," noted Nelli Golubyan. "I wonder if the victims know Vardanyan? Farce only strengthens people's spirits," wrote Mo Nika.

"Of course, Vardanyan personally shot the victim. They don't know what to make up anymore," commented Alexey Trofimov. "Storytellers, you should be ashamed," wrote Iri Na. "What nonsense. He didn't head the government and couldn't give orders to shoot," Grand Kaytsak opined.

Users with Azerbaijani nicknames, on the contrary, expressed confidence in Vardanyan's involvement in the hostilities. "You don't have to be a mortar man. It's enough to finance illegal formations in another country," noted Farid Jafarov.

"This is just the beginning; everyone who is guilty will be caught and [will have to] answer to the fullest extent," commented Mubariz Azimov.

"I'm very curious what he was hoping for? A billionaire is renouncing his Russian citizenship and moving to the Karabakh region... There are two options here: he must talk or be eliminated," opined Imam Zeynalov.

"He trapped himself, plus my people suffered," criticized Elshan Mammadov Vardanyan. "Karabakh separatists dreamed of it—and are now drinking tea in a Baku prison," wrote Adalat Mehtiyev.

The Beginning and End of the Unrecognized Republic of Artsakh

As a reminder, Ruben Vardanyan's case is being heard separately from the cases of the other Karabakh leaders. A total of 15 former Karabakh officials are on trial in Baku, including former presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arkady Ghukasyan, as well as former parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan. They have been charged under more than 20 articles, and the case comprises 2,548 counts.

On October 31, the completion of the trial of the former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders was announced. The prosecution has requested life imprisonment for Arayik Harutyunyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan, and 20 years or more for the others. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report entitled "Vardanyan and 15 Karabakh leaders: key points about the Baku courts".