Baku: A public court hearing continued regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and others, accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and numerous other offenses as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the trial, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, provided translators and defense lawyers for each accused person. The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, victims, their legal heirs and representatives, and prosecutors defending the state’s accusations.
Victims shared harrowing testimonies of being forcibly displaced, losing relatives, and enduring violence and destruction. Lala Ismayilova recounted being expelled from the Zangilan district and the loss of her brother, a police officer. Bikakhanim Guliyeva described her home being burned down, and the murder of her brother during the occupation in 1993.
Victims Idris Mirzaliyev and Khavar Shukurova shared their experiences of displacement and injuries sustained during battles. Malayka Huseynova recounted fleeing her home in 1992 and her brother going missing during battles. Several other victims, including Ulkar Isgandarova and Ramal Mammadov, testified about their forced displacement and injuries sustained during conflicts.
The testimony included accounts of torture and illegal labor during captivity, as shared by Rovshan Abdullayev, who was held captive for 35 months. Victims also described destruction and looting during the occupation, as well as ongoing health issues resulting from injuries.
Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin face charges for numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state against Azerbaijan. These crimes were allegedly carried out under the leadership of various Armenian officials and through support from state institutions and armed formations.
The trial is set to continue, with the accused facing charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including war crimes, genocide, terrorism, and other serious offenses.