Baku: Court hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, and Lyova Mnatsakanyan, continued as they face charges of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and various other offenses. These hearings are part of a broader investigation into actions resulting from Armenia’s military aggression. The proceedings took place at the Baku Military Court under the supervision of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with a panel that included Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. Each defendant was provided with interpreters and legal representation.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearings included the participation of the accused, their defense attorneys, victims, legal successors, and prosecutors. The accused were subjected to a series of questions, with Arkady Ghukasyan being the first to respond. Ghukasyan, who once served as deputy editor of ‘Soviet Armenia’ newspaper, discussed his work related to the Karabakh conflict and stated his condemnation of illegal actions.
Ghukasyan also addressed the ideology of ‘Greater Armenia,’ dismissing it as a fairy tale. He spoke on his past encounters with figures like Zori Balayan and Vazgen Manukyan and mentioned Robert Kocharyan as his leader. He recalled Arkady Manvelovich Manucharov as a key speaker during illegal rallies in Karabakh in 1988.
Defense attorneys for Bako Sahakyan requested a confidential meeting with their client, which the court granted. Proceedings resumed with questions directed at Sahakyan and others regarding illegal armed formations and the roles of Armenian leaders in these activities. Sahakyan acknowledged that calls for armament in Karabakh originated during these illegal rallies, with weapons coming from Soviet military units and Armenia.
Arayik Harutunyan, another accused, noted his awareness of the individuals involved in the rallies, though he did not participate due to his age. He identified several speakers at these events and discussed his knowledge of armed formations like the ‘Arabo’ battalion.
Davit Babayan, yet another accused, spoke about the composition of armed formations within the self-styled entity but denied personal involvement. The trial proceedings included questioning from both victims’ representatives and defense attorneys.
The hearings are set to continue, with the next session scheduled for March 13. The trial involves 15 Armenian nationals charged with crimes related to military aggression against Azerbaijan, implicating high-profile figures such as Robert Sedraki Kocharyan and Serzh Azati Sargsyan. The charges span various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including those related to waging a war of aggression, genocide, and terrorism.