The trial against Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh, prominent businessman, and philanthropist, has concluded in Baku. The presiding judge Zeynal Aghayev announced that the panel of judges has retired to the deliberation room to determine the verdict, according to Minval.az .

It was also reported that “legal successors of the victims” have demanded a life sentence for Vardanyan.

Former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan has already been sentenced to life imprisonment, along with former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and former Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan. Former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan and former Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan have also received life sentences. Former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years. Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan received 19 years, Garik Martirosyan 18, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan 16, while Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasily Beglaryan were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.