Document Examination Stage Commences in Trial of Individuals of Armenian Descent
The trial of the criminal case against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes, continued on March 6 at the Baku Military Court. The accused individuals, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan, and others, were provided with interpreters in their language and defense attorneys. The court session involved testimonies from several of the accused, shedding light on their roles and actions during the conflicts.
One of the accused, Davit Manukyan, a former Major General in the Armenian Armed Forces, admitted to fighting against the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the First and Second Karabakh Wars. He also revealed details about his military service, including being wounded in combat operations. Another accused, Gurgen Stepanyan, shared his experience of surrendering to Azerbaijani forces during a combat post assignment in 2023.
The court session also involved the presentation of historical documents confirming Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over the Karabakh region and Armenia’s attempts to annex the territory. Additionally, evidence related to illegal armed groups operating under Armenian leadership in the region was presented, linking the accused to criminal activities.
The trial highlighted the charges against a total of 15 Armenian nationals, including prominent figures like Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, for their involvement in various criminal acts during the conflicts. The accused individuals are facing charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including planning a war of aggression, genocide, terrorism, and other serious offenses.
The next court session is scheduled for March 10, where further examination of the evidence and testimonies is expected to take place. The proceedings aim to provide a comprehensive and objective consideration of the charges against the accused individuals, shedding light on their roles in the conflict and their impact on peace and stability in the region.
