Baku: During the ongoing proceedings at the Baku Military Court, victim Karam Mammadov testified about his harrowing experience of being captured and tortured in Armenia on national grounds. Mammadov detailed that he was captured on March 7, 1990, while on a mission to restore a communication line in the area between the Zangilan and Gafan districts.
According to Azeri-Press news Agency, Mammadov was accompanied by his colleagues, Baghirov Shakir Avaz oglu, a driver named Emin, and the assistant of the commandant also called Emin. As they checked the cable lines near the Gafan communications hub, they were beaten and captured by Armenian forces. Subsequently, they were taken to the Gafan District Internal Affairs Department, where four individuals in military uniform subjected them to torture, resulting in various bodily injuries. Mammadov sustained broken ribs, bruises, and a head injury, while Shakir Baghirov suffered a brain bleed.
Soviet soldiers from the Zangilan district eventually intervened, rescuing them from captivity. However, the UAZ vehicle they used was confiscated by their captors. Mammadov revealed during questioning by the state prosecutor that he required two months of hospital treatment following the ordeal.
The court proceedings are part of a larger case against Armenian nationals accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws of war. The charges also encompass terrorism financing, violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses.