Baku: An open court hearing proceeded on June 30 at the Baku Military Court concerning the criminal cases against several citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan, among others. These individuals face accusations of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other offenses related to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. The allegations include preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, and forcible seizure and retention of power, as reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the trial was overseen by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev on the panel, and Gunel Samadova serving as the reserve judge. The defendants received interpretation services in their preferred languages and legal representation. Attendees included the defendants, their lawyers, some victims, their legal successors or representatives, and state prosecutors.
During the session, Arayik Harutyunyan was interrogated by his defense lawyer. He disclosed that the ‘defense minister’ of the unauthorized entity established in Azerbaijan’s previously occupied territories was granted the title of lieutenant general in 2020 by the Armenian President. Harutyunyan noted that the so-called army of this entity lacked the authority to issue such ranks, explaining that it was President Armen Sarkissian who awarded the rank upon the prime minister’s recommendation.
Harutyunyan elaborated that the illegal entity did not have its own ‘military police,’ ‘military prosecution,’ or ‘military court,’ stating these functions were managed by Armenian structures. He also commented on the integration of Armenian residents in the formerly occupied territories into the Republic of Azerbaijan post the 44-day war, acknowledging the presence of extremist groups with vengeful intentions.
Arayik Harutyunyan clarified that he had no military units under his command, only the ‘police’ and ‘national security service.’ He affirmed that all military units were part of the Armenian army.
Arkadi Ghukasyan, another defendant, testified regarding operations in the area during his leadership, mentioning agricultural and industrial activities, including the major company ‘Base Metals.’ He detailed the company’s exclusive rights to exploit deposits and its copper extraction operations from the Heyvali deposit until 2012. He also discussed investments and employment figures related to the company.
Ghukasyan recounted a 2020 meeting in a bunker with Harutyunyan and Bako Sahakyan, where they were urged to request Armenia’s leadership to cease the war. He confirmed relaying this plea to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Further, Ghukasyan described the activities of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund in the occupied territories, which involved infrastructure projects funded through telethons. He also discussed a strategic settlement plan from 2001 for the territories, although he could not recall specifics of a related document found at his residence.
The trial, involving fifteen defendants accused of multiple crimes during the aggressive war against Azerbaijan, is scheduled to continue on July 3. These crimes, allegedly executed under the Armenian state’s direction and with the participation of its officials and armed forces, include a plethora of serious charges outlined under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.