Baku: The open court hearing regarding criminal charges against several citizens of the Republic of Armenia-Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan-continued as evidence was announced in court. These individuals face accusations of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes including planning and waging aggressive war, genocide, and terrorism, among other offenses stemming from Armenia’s military actions against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the session at the Baku Military Court, overseen by Judge Zeynal Agayev with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, provided interpreters and legal representation for each accused. The hearing included the accused individuals, their legal defenders, victims and their representatives, and state prosecutors.
During the session, prosecutors began detailing the indictments and presented documents and evidence outlining the roles of the accused in the alleged criminal activities. Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, focused on Arayik Harutyunyan, presenting evidence of his involvement in crimes from December 1991 to September 2023. This included participation in historical conflicts such as those in Karkijahan and Khojaly and his role in maintaining Armenian military operations against Azerbaijan.
Video evidence showed Harutyunyan inspecting combat positions in formerly occupied Azerbaijani territories, emphasizing his involvement in military strategies against Azerbaijan. Additional evidence suggested his participation in war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and other offenses during the First and Second Karabakh Wars.
Nasir Bayramov, head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General’s Office, discussed charges against Levon Mnatsakanyan, highlighting his role in Armenia’s military actions and his contributions to maintaining control over occupied Azerbaijani territories.
State prosecutor Fuad Musayev addressed charges against Bako Sahakyan, noting his denial of ethnic cleansing and other crimes, claiming it conflicted with human values. Sahakyan allegedly supported aggressive actions and maintained positions within the puppet regime, contributing to the criminal activities from 1988 to 2023.
The prosecution also presented charges against David Manukyan, focusing on his leadership roles within Armenian military units that occupied Azerbaijani territories during the First Karabakh War. Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, Tugay Rahimli, detailed charges against Arkadi Ghukasyan, noting his long-standing involvement in the criminal organization and his role in promoting the occupation and associated crimes.
Photographic evidence of the alleged crimes was displayed during the prosecution’s presentations. The trial is set to continue on November 7.