Baku: The open court session addressing criminal cases against Armenian nationals accused of various war crimes and violations of international law continued at the Baku Military Court. The session, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev with a panel including Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, involved indictments against several individuals, including Arayik Harutyunyan and others, accused of crimes such as genocide, terrorism, and aggressive war against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court ensured that each defendant was provided with legal representation and interpreters. The session was attended by the accused, their lawyers, some victims and their legal heirs, as well as state prosecutors. Statements from victims who could not attend were presented in court, as they had petitioned for their initial statements to be reviewed during the proceedings.
During the session, accused Davit Ishkhanyan requested a private meeting with his lawyer and expressed his intention to submit a video as evidence, recorded after the 2020 Tovuz events. The court granted a recess for this purpose. Another accused, David Manukyan, petitioned to summon an Azerbaijani named Knyaz for testimony, but the court rejected the request due to insufficient identifying information.
Victim testimonies were read out, detailing harrowing experiences during the conflicts. Statements included accounts of forced displacement, torture, and loss of life due to attacks by Armenian forces. Victims recounted incidents such as the Khojaly massacre, where residents seeking refuge were fired upon, resulting in numerous deaths and disappearances.
Additional testimonies described more recent incidents, such as the September 2022 sabotage in Kalbajar district and attacks in Aghdam district in 2020. Victims and their heirs shared their experiences of injuries, destruction of property, and loss of loved ones due to the ongoing conflict. The court session continued with the reading of these statements, providing a platform for the victims’ voices to be heard.
The hearings are set to resume on October 27, as the court continues to examine the extensive list of charges and testimonies related to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.