Baku: The trial in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued at the Baku Military Court on December 11, APA reports. During the hearing, the parties were provided with the opportunity to exercise their right to reply.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Vusal Aliyev, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, highlighted the part of the criminal case concerning the disputed roles of the defendants within the criminal organization. He recalled that, according to the defense, the objective of the criminal organization is to commit unlawful acts based on international criminal law practices. The prosecutor emphasized that the evidence examined during the trial confirmed that several years before the start of the First Garabagh War, the mentioned criminal groups had already begun to form.

Aliyev pointed out that the evidence has confirmed the Armenian leadership’s support and arming of these groups. He noted the significant political and military positions held by the leaders and members of those armed groups, both in the so-called regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and in Armenia itself. Aliyev described these groups as integral parts of the criminal army that occupied Azerbaijani territories, rather than random or independent detachments.

Aliyev mentioned specific defendants, such as David Manukyan, a member of the Shusha Battalion, and Davit Ishkhanyan, commander of the ’28th Martuni’ Battalion. He stated that these and other battalions were reorganized, more structured, and militarized versions of the previously mentioned illegal groups.

The court proceedings continue against the Armenian nationals, who face charges related to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, violations of the laws and customs of war, financing terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power, among other serious offenses.