Hikmet Hajiyev: Court verdict on Vardanyan is the logical conclusion of the 30-year conflict

The verdict of the Baku Military Court against oligarch Ruben Vardanyan is not only the restoration of justice but also a symbolic and logical conclusion to the nearly 30-year conflict that brought enormous suffering to the Azerbaijani people.

As reported by BAKU.WS, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev wrote this on social network X.

"By promoting a unique military-political model of conflict resolution and initiating a post-conflict peace agenda, Azerbaijan has also ensured accountability for individuals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including Bako Sahakyan, Araik Harutyunyan, Ruben Vardanyan, and others," the diplomat wrote.

According to him, on the eve of another anniversary of the Khojaly genocide (February 26), these court decisions represent a profound tribute to the memory of innocent victims of the Khojaly tragedy and the conflict between the two countries as a whole.

He noted that Azerbaijan expected the international community to establish international courts or tribunals, similar to the Nuremberg trials, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, or Rwanda.

"However, in today's unjust international environment, even the application of legal norms is becoming increasingly politicized and subject to double standards. Therefore, Azerbaijan organized open trials and ensured justice through its own legal system, setting an example for the international community," emphasized the assistant to the head of state.

He also noted that certain circles, including members of the European Parliament and organizations such as Amnesty International, are calling for the release of individuals accused of serious war crimes.

"Where there is a crime, there must be accountability - and justice has been fully served. Justifying someone accused of war crimes is tantamount to legitimizing their crimes and actual complicity in undermining the principle of inevitable punishment. Sustainable peace and ethnic reconciliation are impossible without justice. Azerbaijan will continue its resolute efforts to promote and strengthen the regional peace agenda," Hajiyev concluded.

The decision of the Baku court regarding oligarch Ruben Vardanyan represents not only the delivery of justice, but also the symbolic and logical conclusion of the past nearly 30-year conflict that brought immense suffering to the Azerbaijani people.

By advancing a unique…

— Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) February 19, 2026