Category: Azer News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin fears only one person on the global stage, US President Donald Trump, stressing that Moscow is not deterred by Europe alone, Azernews reports his remarks to Le Monde.

‘Putin does not fear Europeans. He only fears Trump, that’s a fact,’ Zelenskyy said. ‘What Trump might say to Putin is not my business.’

Zelenskyy recalled that the US president has expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine through compromise, noting that Kyiv supports Washington’s peace initiatives. However, he emphasized that Ukraine will not make any concessions that undermine its sovereignty.

‘If Ukraine does not stop Putin, he will attack Europe,’ Zelenskyy warned, adding that countries bordering Ukraine understand they would be the first targets if Russia advances further. He pointed to Russia’s military capabilities, saying its drones can operate deep inside territories and that its missiles have the range to strike virtually anywhere.

‘I do not want to scare anyone,’ Zelenskyy said, adding that European states which fully understand this threat are already providing Ukraine with effective assistance.

The Ukrainian leader also referred to his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, arguing that democratic values alone are insufficient to deter Moscow. ‘Democracy cannot defeat Vladimir Putin, who does not respect the rules of war,’ he said.

Meanwhile, US officials have said that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are making progress, though the most difficult issues remain unresolved, potentially delaying any final peace agreement.

On February 4, a second round of talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States was held in Abu Dhabi. The discussions lasted several hours, with further negotiations expected to continue on February 5.

The Baku Military Court has continued the trial of Armenian citizens, during which verdicts are being announced for the accused.

Azernews reports that under the court’s ruling, defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

It should be recalled that prosecutors representing the state prosecution had also requested a life sentence for the accused.

The trial concerns citizens of the Republic of Armenia charged with committing crimes against peace and humanity and war crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. The charges include the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and financing of terrorism, as well as the violent seizure and retention of power and numerous other serious crimes. The court proceedings are continuing with the announcement of verdicts.

Footage of President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to the United Arab Emirates has been published on his social media accounts.

Azernews presents the post:

“Official visit of President Ilham Aliyev to the United Arab Emirates (02-05.02.2026)”.

President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to President of the Republic of Trkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports.

“Dear Mr. President,

My dear Brother,

Three years have passed since the earthquake that deeply shook the brotherly Republic of Trkiye. I commemorate with profound respect and reverence the cherished memory of those who lost their lives in this devastating tragedy.

This disaster became a serious humanitarian test for Trkiye, when in a single night thousands of people perished, and many cities and settlements were reduced to ruins. During those painful days, the Azerbaijani people followed the events with deep sorrow, accepting the grief of brotherly Trkiye as their own and sharing fully in its anguish.

The unshakable brotherhood that underpins Azerbaijan-Trkiye relations revealed its true essence precisely at such a difficult moment. From the very first hours of the tragedy, the state and people of Azerbaijan, guided by the principles of unity and solidarity, stood shoulder to shoulder with Trkiye, extending comprehensive support and assistance.

Thanks to strong state governance under your wise leadership and the unity of the Turkish people, Trkiye has achieved significant accomplishments in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake. The implementation of large-scale reconstruction initiatives, the creation of modern residential infrastructure, and the restoration of social welfare in the affected provinces stand as clear indicators of Trkiye’s long-term development strategy.

As an expression of our fraternal duty, Azerbaijan has contributed to the reconstruction and restoration efforts in Kahramanmaras province, actively participating in the construction of the ‘Azerbaijan’ neighborhood. Azerbaijan’s support for the reconstruction and development efforts of the brotherly country is a vivid manifestation of our friendly and allied relations.

I am confident that the strong unity and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Trkiye, founded on the philosophy of ‘One nation, two states,’ will continue to contribute to the prosperity of our peoples, while serving as a cornerstone of regional stability, security, and sustainable development.

On this day of remembrance, I once again extend my deepest condolences to you, the families of the victims, and the entire brotherly people of Trkiye, and I pray to Almighty Allah to grant mercy to our brothers and sisters who lost their lives,” the letter reads.

The U.S. Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has launched proceedings against American sportswear giant Nike over allegations that the company discriminates against white employees, Azernews reports.

According to official documents, the commission received complaints claiming that Nike engages in systematic ‘racial discrimination’ against white staff. In response, the EEOC, through the federal district court in Missouri, has requested that the company provide detailed reports on how it considers race and ethnicity in employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, dismissal, and compensation practices.

Nike, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sportswear and footwear, faces scrutiny amid growing attention to corporate diversity and inclusion programs.

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas stated that there is ‘convincing evidence’ suggesting that some of Nike’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives ‘may violate federal prohibitions on racial discrimination.’ She emphasized that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine whether the company has complied with U.S. anti-discrimination laws.

The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that employers in the United States adhere to laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

The Nike case highlights a growing legal and social debate in the U.S. over corporate diversity programs. While companies increasingly adopt initiatives to promote inclusion, critics argue that such programs can sometimes unintentionally disadvantage other groups, sparking legal challenges. Analysts note that the outcome of this investigation could set a major precedent for how diversity, equity, and inclusion policies are implemented across American workplaces.

In a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, China’s President Xi Jinping emphasized that Taiwan is “the most important issue” in US-China relations, urging caution over US arms sales to the self-governed island, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Xi stressed that Taiwan is “China’s territory” and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the US to “handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” state media reported.

The call, which Xi described as “excellent” and “long and thorough,” also covered a range of other global issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation in Iran, and China’s oil and gas purchases from the US. Xi’s comments come as tensions over Taiwan remain high, with Beijing consistently vowing to reunify with the island, even leaving the door open to the use of force.

In response, Trump praised his “extremely good” relationship with Xi and reiterated the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations. Trump also revealed that Beijing is considering increasing its soybean purchases from the US, from 12 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes.

This conversation follows a series of high-profile visits by Western leaders, including UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, to China in an attempt to reset relations with the world’s second-largest economy. Trump is also set to visit China in April, a trip he has expressed enthusiasm about.

The US and China have long navigated a delicate diplomatic balance, with Washington officially recognising Beijing over Taiwan, while remaining Taiwan’s largest arms supplier. Last December, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which included advanced rocket launchers and missiles, a move that Beijing condemned, warning it would escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Despite these challenges, Xi and Trump expressed a shared interest in managing their differences, with Xi emphasising that if both sides work in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, they can find solutions to address each other’s concerns.

Just hours before speaking with Trump, Xi held a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders hailed the growing strength of Sino-Russian relations.

In the lead-up to the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), meetings were held between the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company and technical mission members from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to discuss organizational coordination, technical matters, and operational preparations.

Azernews reports that the mission’s visit facilitated extensive exchanges on key priorities, including broadcast and media operations, the readiness of the venue, planning for the ‘Urban Expo’ exhibition, branding and directional signage design, ICT and audiovisual systems, interpretation services, logistics, sustainability, and stakeholder coordination.

Final discussions focused on live broadcast and media interaction plans, the venue’s master plan, and proposals for city and venue branding. Operational preparations also continued intensively in areas such as transportation, catering, security, volunteer management, and workforce coordination.

These activities mark a crucial stage in ensuring that WUF13 is organized professionally and efficiently, conducted in an inclusive format, and delivered at the highest quality standards.

SOCAR AQS (Absheron Drilling Company) is participating in tenders for the implementation of drilling projects in Iraq as part of its strategy to expand its international operations.

Azernews reports that the information was shared by Elvin Nasibov, country manager of SOCAR AQS for Trkiye, during the IADC Drilling Caspian and Black Sea 2026 conference and exhibition held in Baku.

According to Nasibov, SOCAR AQS is actively involved in several regional tenders, with Iraq standing out as a key market. He stated that the company is currently participating in a tender together with Crescent Petroleum, one of the region’s private operators, for the drilling of an exploration well in Iraq. The project scope includes a ‘1+4’ well program, with the first well designated for exploration. If the results meet the operator’s expectations, four additional wells will be drilled.

In parallel, SOCAR AQS is also taking part in another tender in cooperation with the Basra Oil Company (BOC). This project involves drilling operations using rigs with a capacity of 2,000 horsepower and will be implemented through direct rig operations.

Nasibov emphasized that ongoing projects in Trkiye and Iraq highlight SOCAR AQS’s growing international footprint and operational expertise. He noted that these activities reaffirm the company’s commitment to delivering safe and high-quality drilling services both within the region and globally.

The open court hearing continued on February 5 regarding the criminal cases of Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, the forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes committed as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.

In the court proceedings, which began on January 17 of last year and have continued for over a year, the final court decision (verdict) regarding the accused individuals was announced. During the court session held at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev and composed of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with reserve judge Gunel Samadova), each of the accused was provided with an interpreter in a language they understood, as well as lawyers for their defense. The session was attended by the accused, their defense counsel, a portion of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, prosecutors representing the state prosecution, and Rufat Mammadov, the Head of the Apparatus of the Cabinet of Ministers, appearing as a victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state.

The court decision announced that, taking into account the proposal of the state prosecutors, no punishment was assigned to Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Babayan, and David Manukyan regarding actions creating a threat to aviation safety for which they were found guilty, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. It was noted that although the accused Arkadi Gukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were charged with crimes carrying a life sentence and those charges were proven during the judicial investigation, they cannot be sentenced to life imprisonment according to the requirements of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan because they had reached the age of 65 by the time the verdict was issued.

The charges filed against the accused Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Madat Babayan, Melikset Pashayan, Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdyan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, and Erik Gazaryan under Article 228.3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan were reclassified to Article 228.2.1 of the same Code. Furthermore, Articles 218.1, 218.2, 279.1, and 279.2 of the Criminal Code were removed from the charges pertaining to Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan. Additionally, Articles 279.1 and 279.2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan were removed from the charges brought against Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Madat Babayan, Melikset Pashayan, Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdyan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, and Erik Gazaryan.

Subsequently, the presiding judge announced that Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri (Vladimirovich) was found guilty of planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, genocide, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to life imprisonment to be served in prison.

Mnatsakanyan Levon Henrikhi was found guilty of planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to life imprisonment to be served in prison.

Manukyan David Azati was found guilty of planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to life imprisonment to be served in prison.

Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni was found guilty of planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, genocide, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, assassination attempts on the life of a state or public figure, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to life imprisonment to be served in prison.

Babayan David Klimi was found guilty of planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to life imprisonment to be served in prison.

Arkadi Arshaviri (Arshavirovich) Gukasyan (Ghukasyan) was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, genocide, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, assassination attempts on the life of a state or public figure, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Bako Sahaki Sahakyan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, genocide, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, mercenary activity, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, illegal entrepreneurship, terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, actions posing a threat to aviation safety, assassination attempts on the life of a state or public figure, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Madat Arakeli Babayan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, attacking persons and organizations enjoying international protection, genocide, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, assassination attempts on the life of a state or public figure, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment, with the first 8 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Garik Grigori Martirosyan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, slavery, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, deprivation of liberty contrary to international law, torture, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment, with the first 8 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 6 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Levon Romiki Balayan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, forced displacement of the population, persecution, enforced disappearance of people, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 5 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Vasili Ivani Beglaryan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, forced displacement of the population, persecution, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, military robbery, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, with the first 5 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Gurgen Homerosi Stepanyan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, extermination of the population, forced displacement of the population, persecution, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, with the first 5 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Erik Roberti Gazaryan was found guilty of the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, starting, and conducting aggressive war, forced displacement of the population, persecution, violation of the laws and customs of war, violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict, intentional murder, terrorism, creation of a criminal association (organization), illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and carrying of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives, and devices, the forcible seizure and retention of power, the forcible change of the state’s constitutional order, and the creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and was definitively sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, with the first 5 years to be served in a prison and the remaining portion in a high-security penal institution.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state – including the aforementioned criminal association – on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals – Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan – are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.

US Vice President J.D. Vance has sharply criticized Iran’s system of governance, arguing that real decision-making power in the country rests not with its elected president but exclusively with the supreme leader, a structure he said severely complicates diplomacy, Azernews reports.

‘The person who makes decisions in Iran is the supreme leader. The president is not really important. The foreign minister also talks to the supreme leader, and we mainly communicate with him,’ Vance said, according to US media.

He stressed that this political model places negotiations in what he described as an ‘absurd situation,’ noting the absence of a clear, transparent decision-making mechanism on the Iranian side. According to Vance, this makes meaningful diplomatic engagement far more difficult than with other rival powers.

Drawing a comparison, Vance said US President Donald Trump is able to establish direct contact even with leaders of countries considered adversaries by Washington. ‘Trump can pick up the phone and call Putin or Xi. It is even possible to speak directly with the leaders of countries with which we have hostile relations. But it is strange that we cannot speak to the president of Iran,’ he said.

Vance added that President Trump intends to keep all options on the table in dealing with Tehran. He emphasized that the US administration will pursue non-military avenues wherever possible, engaging in dialogue with all relevant actors.

However, he warned that if diplomatic efforts fail and Trump concludes that military force is the only viable option, ‘then he will ultimately choose that option.’