Baku: Victim Ilham Mammadov testified at the Baku Military Court hearing on the criminal cases against Armenian citizens, identifying Levon Mnatsakanyan as the officer who subjected him to severe mistreatment. Mammadov recounted the events of May 10, 2002, when, while serving in the military, he was taken hostage by Armenian armed forces on the Harami plain. He explained that he was unarmed at the time and was brutally beaten and tortured by the Armenian soldiers. Specifically, he singled out an officer named Levon for displaying particular cruelty.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, during his testimony, Mammadov identified the accused, Levon Mnatsakanyan, as the individual who struck him on the head with both his fist and the butt of a rifle. Mammadov further described being taken to a trench, where Mnatsakanyan opened fire, positioning him in such a way that he could have been shot by Azerbaijani soldiers without their detection. He also recounted being forced to walk through a minefield.
Mammadov was held captive for a week in Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenian forces before being sent to Armenia. He was detained there for six months and 15 days before finally being handed back to Azerbaijan.
In response to questions from the defense, Mammadov acknowledged that he did not know Mnatsakanyan prior to his capture and was unaware of his rank at the time, but he assumed, based on others’ behavior towards Mnatsakanyan, that he held the position of chief of staff.
During cross-examination by Mnatsakanyan, Mammadov revealed that he was born in 1973 and held the rank of senior lieutenant when captured. He mentioned that he received his officer rank upon graduating from the Azerbaijan Agricultural Institute, which had a military department.
The court proceedings continue against the Armenian nationals, who face charges including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws of war, along with other serious offenses such as financing terrorism and the violent seizure and retention of power.