Baku: A criminal case has been initiated by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan against Arayik Harutyunyan and others in connection with the series of missile attacks on the city of Ganja. These attacks, which occurred in October 2020, resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians and injuries to 175 others.

According to Trend News Agency, the charges were announced during a press briefing that marked the anniversary of the fifth missile strike on Ganja on October 17, 2020. Senior Prosecutor Shahin Osmanov of the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office detailed the actions taken by authorities in response to the attacks. The criminal case against Harutyunyan and other unspecified individuals includes serious allegations under multiple articles of the Azerbaijan Criminal Code, including terrorism, manslaughter, and endangerment of public safety.

Osmanov explained that extensive investigative measures were implemented following the attacks, which occurred on October 4, 5, 8, 11,
and 17, 2020. These measures included on-site investigations, autopsies, and medical examinations to document the extent of the injuries sustained by the victims. “The meticulous gathering of evidence is crucial to ensure that all those responsible for these heinous acts face justice,” he stated.

The prosecutor’s report provided a detailed breakdown of the casualties: “26 civilians lost their lives, including 10 men, 10 women, and 6 minors. Among the injured, 61 were men, 66 women, and 48 minors, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.”

The initiation of this criminal case marks a significant step in addressing the aftermath of the 2020 attacks and underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to prosecuting those responsible for acts of terrorism within its borders.