Billionaire on trial in Azerbaijan who risks being left behind peace deal

Ethnic Armenian Ruben Vardanyan's fortune is of little use now that he is facing a possible life term in jail.

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The two neighbouring Caucasus countries have agreed the text of a historic peace deal to end decades long conflict over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, but Vardanyan and 15 other former ethnic Armenian leaders are not part of the agreement.

They are on trial in a military court in Baku, accused of war crimes dating back decades.

Vardanyan, a 56-year-old Russian-Armenian entrepreneur, is facing 42 charges including planning and waging war, mercenary activities and terrorism.

A picture of him in court appeared to show bruises on his forehead and there have been allegations of torture, denied by Azerbaijan which insists his rights have been respected in custody.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86jw1w0n5vo

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