Baku: Court hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan, and others, accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression, continued on April 7.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearings held at the Baku Military Court were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev with a panel including Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, along with reserve judge Gunel Samadova. Each accused was provided with an interpreter and defense attorneys. Present were the accused, their defense attorneys, some victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors in charge of public prosecution.
During the hearings, David Babayan was questioned by prosecutors. He confirmed holding senior positions in the self-styled republic in territories once occupied by Armenia, including ‘advisor to the president’ and ‘minister of foreign affairs.’ Babayan stated he traveled abroad with an Armenian passport and noted that certain officials of the self-proclaimed regime also had Armenian diplomatic passports. He communicated information about these trips to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
David Babayan also spoke about the so-called republic’s representatives abroad, particularly in countries with large Armenian communities. In response to questions from the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Babayan opposed the integration of Armenian residents into Azerbaijan, claiming it was impossible. He reiterated these views in a media interview, stating no official favored such integration.
Babayan discussed his relationship with Ruben Vardanyan, noting a business relationship and Vardanyan’s influence in the Armenian diaspora. He admitted that websites of the entities in the self-styled republic were registered with Armenia’s ‘.am’ domain, with Armenian residents maintaining their security.
Public prosecutor Tarana Mammadova questioned Madat Babayan, who revealed his service in Aghdara in the 1990s and his arrest with a weapon by Azerbaijani servicemen. Garik Martirosyan, another accused, was questioned by Vusal Abdullayev, admitting participation in battles in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan and receiving a medal for courage.
The next court hearing is scheduled for April 10, with further questioning of the accused. A total of 15 Armenian nationals face charges related to military aggression and acts of terror against Azerbaijan, involving several high-profile individuals and criminal acts committed during the war of aggression.