Baku: Court proceedings against Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against the Azerbaijani people continued at the Baku Military Court. The individuals on trial, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, and Lyova Mnatsakanyan, face charges of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, and terrorism, among other allegations stemming from Armenia’s military actions against Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearings were overseen by Judge Zeynal Aghayev along with a panel comprising Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, with Gunel Samadova as the reserve judge. The accused were provided with interpreters and defense attorneys. The courtroom included the accused, their attorneys, victims, their representatives, and prosecutors.
Judge Aghayev announced the introduction of a new Armenian translator at the start of the session, with no objections raised by the parties involved. The session allowed the accused to give their testimonies freely, with Judge Aghayev inviting each to make statements regarding the charges and other pertinent matters.
Arkady Ghukasyan was the first to testify, addressing his role in the alleged crimes during Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan. He stated that Armenia served as a guarantor for Karabakh and elaborated on the challenges faced by Karabakh in organizing its defense during the 2020 conflict. Ghukasyan recounted a meeting with Arayik Harutyunyan during the war, where they urged him to request Armenia to cease hostilities.
Ghukasyan also denied the presence of mercenaries in Karabakh, asserting that the defense was managed by the Armenian Ministry of Defense and financed by the Republic of Armenia.