Baku: Forcibly displaced persons and victims of Armenian armed forces’ attacks testified in a public court hearing concerning criminal cases against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity. The hearing, which continued on August 22 at the Baku Military Court, involves high-profile defendants accused of initiating an aggressive war, genocide, and other war crimes during Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the proceedings are held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. The court ensures that each accused person is provided with a translator and defense lawyers. The hearing was attended by the accused, their attorneys, some victims, their representatives, and prosecutors.
Victims provided detailed testimonies of displacement and atrocities. Mahbuba Babirkhanova and Elmira Hasanova recounted their forced displacement from Aghdam district in 1993, while Elmira also mentioned the martyrdom of her brother. Zanura Abishova and Saadat Hashimova shared similar stories of expulsion due to Armenian attacks. Statements from victims like Arzu Badalova and Basira Soltanova highlighted the destruction caused by the enemy’s attacks.
Other testimonies included Mukhtar Hashimov, who described violent attacks in Lachin district, and Fikrat Firidov, who recounted the brutal killing of a compatriot. Victims from other regions, such as Adil Alaskarov from Fuzuli city and Mehman Mammadov from Gubadli district, described the intensification of attacks leading to their displacement.
Victims like Allahverdi Allahverdiyev from Zangilan and Sarkhan Abbasov from Aghdam district recounted the escalation of violence and its impact on civilians. Sadraddin Mammadov from Lachin district detailed artillery fire from neighboring villages, leading to injuries and displacement.
The court also heard from victims like Ramiz Tahmazov and Rahim Jabbarov, who spoke about the destruction of homes and graveyards. Accounts from Fizuli Pashayev and Firad Hasanov emphasized the extensive shelling in Lachin district.
Other testimonies included those of Eldar Rustamov, who suffered injuries during an attack on Shusha, and Elchin Isgandarov, who lost relatives in Gubadli district. Victims such as Bakhtiyar Mammadov and Fizuli Najafi shared experiences of being wounded and losing family members.
The trial will continue on August 25, with 15 Armenian defendants facing charges for numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by Armenia against Azerbaijan. The crimes are alleged to have been supported and carried out under the leadership of high-ranking Armenian officials and military personnel.
The defendants face charges under multiple articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, including planning and waging a war of aggression, genocide, terrorism, and other serious offenses. The trial seeks justice for the victims of the conflict and accountability for those responsible for the atrocities committed during the war.