Baku: The open court hearing in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasian, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, resumed at the Baku Military Court. They are accused of war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity, among other offenses related to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the session was held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Camal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, and reserve judge Gunel Sadigova present. The accused were provided interpreters and defense attorneys to ensure compliance with procedural rights. The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense lawyers, some victims along with their legal heirs and representatives, and prosecutors representing the state prosecution.
The presiding judge, Zeynal Aghayev, stated that the hearing continued with the final statements from the accused. David Manukyan, one of the accused, presented his counterarguments, disagreeing with the prosecution’s points. He claimed he did not attend the “meetings of the security council” of the illegal regime due to his official duties and expressed gratitude to his defense attorneys.
In his final statement, accused Arayik Harutyunyan disagreed with the prosecution’s rebuttals. Harutyunyan mentioned his educational background in the Garabagh region, stating there were no issues between Armenians and Azerbaijanis during his schooling. He claimed to have learned about many war crimes during the hearing, expressing that those responsible should face justice, if not in this world, then in the next.
Harutyunyan addressed the charges against him, which included joining a criminal organization, engaging in illegal entrepreneurial activity, and other serious offenses, stating he did not plead guilty. Meanwhile, accused David Babayan was granted permission to make his final statement in Russian, where he presented his counterarguments to the statements of the state prosecutors and the victims.
The court proceedings are scheduled to resume on December 22.