Baku: The open court hearing regarding the criminal cases of several Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against Azerbaijanis during the military aggression against Azerbaijan continued at the Baku Military Court. The hearing is chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova. The accused include Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan, among others. They face charges of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of war laws and customs, terrorism, and other crimes.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the session ensured that all accused individuals were provided with translators and defense lawyers. The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some victims and their representatives, and prosecutors defending the state’s charges. The court continued to examine documents related to the cases, with each document being studied individually.
One document described the shelling of a car on February 22, 1988, which had several Azerbaijanis inside, including L.F. Mamedov and Sh.B. Salmanova with her underage child. Other documents detailed the acquisition of firearms by individuals like Sargsyan Armen Grigorievich and the occurrence of mass riots in Shusha and Khankendi.
Testimonies from victims, such as Abbasova Zenfira Babur gizi, were also presented. She recounted threats and attacks by Armenians in 1988, forcing her and her family to leave their home in Khankendi. Witness testimony from Jahangiryan Yuri Osipovich implicated Robert Setrakovich Kocharyan in organizing rallies promoting hostility against Azerbaijanis and calling for their expulsion.
Evidence was provided for additional attacks, including the bombing of a bridge and a bus, leading to injuries and blockades. The court also reviewed documents related to various killings and hostage situations, along with the discovery of weapons in civilian transport vehicles.
The court proceedings are set to continue on September 11, with 15 Armenian-origin defendants accused of committing numerous crimes during the aggressive war waged by Armenia against Azerbaijan. These crimes were reportedly carried out with the involvement of Armenian state officials and armed formations, under the leadership of figures such as Robert Sedraki Kocharyan and Serzh Azati Sargsyan. The charges against the defendants include a wide range of serious criminal offenses under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.