Baku: An open court hearing at the Baku Military Court has continued to address criminal cases against several citizens of the Republic of Armenia, accused of committing various war crimes and crimes against humanity amidst Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. The proceedings, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, involve high-profile defendants including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and others, who face charges ranging from genocide to terrorism.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the session, attended by the accused, their defenders, victims, and prosecutors, focused on the presentation of documents detailing specific incidents of violence and aggression. One such document highlighted the attack on a bus along the Khojavend-Garadaghli road in January 1991, where Armenian forces shelled the vehicle, resulting in civilian casualties. Another document recounted the murder of Farana Nariman Nazarova in the Khojavend district.
Further evidence included the wounding of a young student, Mammadov Azer Ispandiyar oghlu, and the killing of Nabiyev Jamal Abbasali oghlu, illustrating a pattern of targeted violence against Azerbaijani civilians. The court also reviewed details of a February 1991 attack on a passenger bus on the Yevlakh-Lachin highway, resulting in several injuries and the vehicle’s destruction.
The court session also examined the murder of Muradov Gorkhmaz Murad oghlu and other violent incidents, including the shooting of a helicopter carrying Azerbaijani deputies in April 1991. The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing due to damage from Armenian gunfire, leading to injuries among passengers.
Documents further revealed the destruction of homes, establishment of armed groups, and targeted attacks on Azerbaijani villages, such as the shelling of Nabiler and Shusha districts. The aggression culminated in a series of deadly attacks using grenade launchers and machine guns, causing multiple casualties.
The accused individuals face charges under numerous articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including planning and waging a war of aggression, genocide, and terrorism, reflecting the severe nature of the alleged crimes. The court proceedings are set to continue, with new evidence and testimonies anticipated in the coming sessions.