Baku: The open court hearing in Baku concerning Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, among others, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, continued. These charges stem from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, involving numerous offenses such as terrorism, genocide, and violations of international law.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the trial is taking place at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev on the panel. The proceedings ensure each defendant has access to an interpreter and legal counsel. The hearing included the presence of defendants, their legal representatives, victims, and state prosecutors.
Prosecutors presented their indictment, stating that over a year, around 100 court sessions examined documents and evidence for over 500 hours. Vusal Aliyev, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, noted the interrogation of accused individuals, victims, and witnesses, asserting that the evidence substantiating the charges against the accused has been confirmed. The charges, covering a vast timeline from 1988 to 2023, include crimes against peace, humanity, and violations of war laws.
The indictment speech, divided into six parts, highlighted the establishment of a criminal organization and occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The prosecution presented documents and evidence revealing the criminal organization’s intent to separate the Garabagh region from Azerbaijan. They emphasized how Armenian leadership propagated this agenda, resulting in a military occupation and numerous war crimes.
The prosecution detailed the consequences of the aggressive war led by Armenia from 1988-1994, including the occupation of Azerbaijani settlements and the infamous Khojaly massacre. Nasir Bayramov of the Prosecutor General’s Office further outlined the occupation and destruction of multiple regions by Armenian forces.
Fuad Musayev and Tarana Mammadova, state prosecutors, underscored the accused’s involvement in various crimes, including the Tovuz clashes in 2020 and the 44-day war, which resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Vusal Abdullayev, another state prosecutor, presented charges related to forced disappearances, torture, and illegal settlement in occupied territories.
The trial, featuring evidence such as photographs and maps, is set to continue, with fifteen Armenian-origin defendants facing multiple charges under the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. These include planning and waging a war of aggression, genocide, terrorism, and other serious offenses, allegedly committed under the leadership of Armenian state officials and military leaders.