Baku: Public hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and others, continue at the Baku Military Court. These individuals are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, acts of genocide, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression. The hearings are presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the accused were provided with interpreters and defense attorneys during the hearings. Present were the accused, their defense attorneys, victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors. The court heard testimonies about massacres committed by Armenian forces against Azerbaijani residents in the Kalbajar district, including the village of Bashlibel.
Victim Elshad Alishov recounted the harrowing escape from Bashlibel with his family via a tunnel. He testified that his mother was shot in the leg during the attack, and his sister sustained mouth wounds. Alishov detailed how he managed to save his mother but was unable to rescue other relatives. He also mentioned his injured neighbor Yusif, whose brother was killed.
Another victim, Elshad Azizov, testified about being shot during the assault and reported that 12 people were killed. He described how civilians were forced to flee through the Murov mountain road due to the Armenian military’s siege. Azizov emphasized that Armenian forces did not allow the civilian population to evacuate, and they had to hide for 113 days before reaching Dashkasan district.
Victim Habil Alasgarov testified about the brutal conditions faced by the villagers as they hid in caves. He described the Armenian troops’ looting and their use of tear gas to force civilians out of hiding. Alasgarov recounted the killing of civilians and the burning of a man alive in the cultural center.
The court also heard from Tajira Alasgarova, who was wounded during the attack and separated from her family for eight days. She described the dire conditions in the caves, where they lived without food or water for 113 days. Witness Adalat Abbasov recounted the brutal killing of villagers hiding in caves, and Rustam Alasgarov testified about the torture inflicted by Armenian forces.
The testimonies highlighted the severe human rights violations and brutalities faced by the residents of Bashlibel and Kalbajar during the occupation. The hearings are set to continue, with the next session scheduled for May 15. The accused face charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reflecting the gravity of the alleged crimes.