Baku: The open court session continued at the Baku Military Court in the criminal case against Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. They stand accused of crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war, arising from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court session was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. The session ensured each defendant had legal representation and interpretation in their native language. Victims, their legal successors, and state prosecutors attended the proceedings. The court reviewed protocols and expert opinions regarding damage to Azerbaijan’s civilian infrastructure and casualties during the 44-day war in 2020.
The session examined documents concerning the shelling of the Aghjabadi district on September 27, 2020, which resulted in one civilian death and 19 injuries. Significant material damage was reported, affecting 536 buildings, 17 vehicles, and 50 farms. The Aghdam district also suffered, with seven civilians killed and 46 injured due to heavy artillery fire from Armenian forces, impacting 2,098 individuals and 2 legal entities.
Further reports detailed the destruction in Beylagan, Barda, Fuzuli, Goranboy, and Naftalan, with civilians killed and injured, and substantial property damage reported. The city of Mingachevir, positioned beyond the conflict area, was targeted with “Smerch” rocket systems, resulting in injuries and property damage.
The court reviewed documents regarding the targeting of infrastructure such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the South Caucasus Pipeline. The session included testimonies from victims like Parvin Gasimova, who recounted losing her eyesight during a missile strike on Ganja city. Other victims, including Qoshgar Khalilov, shared harrowing accounts of family members lost during artillery shelling.
The court proceedings highlighted the legal charges against the defendants, which include planning and waging aggressive war, genocide, terrorism, and other grave offenses under Azerbaijani law. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 5.