Baku: The trial at the Baku Military Court continued with significant developments as prosecutors presented their closing arguments in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The prosecutors argued that the systematic use of torture reflects the official policy of the Armenian state.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearing included the reading of the indictment’s legal qualification section, which detailed the charges against the accused. The prosecutor stated that UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 confirm the occupation of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories due to Armenian military aggression, asserting that Armenia waged an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.

The indictment highlighted that Armenia’s aggressive actions persisted even during periods of non-hostility. It was noted that ceasefire agreements were frequently violated, leading to attacks on Azerbaijani armed forces, civilians, and critical infrastructure, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The trial also focused on the widespread application of torture, arguing that it illustrates the official policy of the Armenian state. The court was reminded of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which criminalizes the transfer of an occupying power’s civilian population into occupied territories. Defendants Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan testified about the transfer of population from Armenia to occupied regions of Azerbaijan, with evidence from letters, Armenian sources, and online data supporting these claims.

The proceedings continue against Armenian citizens accused of crimes related to military aggression against Azerbaijan. These include accusations of aggressive war, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and other severe offenses.