Baku: The trial at the Baku Military Court concerning the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued with the announcement of documents related to the case. At the court hearing, video footage recorded after the Tovuz battles in 2020 was reviewed upon the petition of the accused, Davit Ishkhanyan.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, D. Ishkhanyan’s lawyer had previously filed a motion for the examination of the video at the court session held on October 24. The video, which was posted on YouTube on August 28, 2020, features an awarding ceremony for Armenian militants, conducted by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Sardarabad. Arayik Harutyunyan was also present at the event, where Pashinyan remarked that the decorated military servicemen had been actively involved in the July battles.

During the court proceedings, Public Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev questioned Arayik Harutyunyan, one of the accused. He pointed out that the video depicts Armenian military servicemen who participated in the July battles being awarded and inquired about the accused’s role and purpose for attending the event.

The prosecutor further highlighted that on July 19, 2020, a meeting of the Joint Security Council of the Republic of Armenia and the so-called regime took place. He questioned the objective of that meeting, noting there was no connection between the July battles and the illegal regime, and sought clarification on the topics discussed during the meeting.

In response, the accused stated that representatives of the illegal regime were routinely invited to such meetings. He explained that the meeting focused on issues concerning the security of the Republic of Armenia, the readiness of the Armenian army, and potential war scenarios.

The court proceedings are ongoing against Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. These include charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The accusations also encompass financing terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other grave offenses.