Azerbaijan sentences Armenian sabouteur Voskanyan to 18 years in prison UPDATED

The trial on the criminal case of Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, an Armenian saboteur detained in Kalbajar, has been held.

The verdict was read out on December 7 at the trial in Sabunchu District Court presided over by Ganja Serious Crimes Court Judge Abdulla Mammadov after a meeting, APA reports.

The court sentenced Voskanyan Gagik Ashotovich to 18 years in prison.

15:45

The trial on the criminal case of Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, an Armenian saboteur detained in Kalbajar, continues.

The completion of the judicial investigation was announced on December 7 at the trial in Sabunchu District Court presided over by Ganja Court of Grave Crimes Judge Abdulla Mammadov, APA reports.

State prosecutor Mushfig Rahimov, who spoke further at the court session, noted that the charges were confirmed during the court investigation.

The prosecutor proposed the court to sentence Voskanyan Gagik Ashotovich to 18 years of imprisonment.

It was noted that out of the mentioned term he should serve 5 years in prison, and the rest of the punishment - in a strict regime colony. After serving the sentence, he should be deported from the Republic of Azerbaijan.

14:12

The trial on the criminal case of Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, an Armenian saboteur detained in Kalbajar, continues.

The accused and the victims gave testimonies at the trial, APA reports.

After that, the documents on the case were studied.

A break was announced at the trial.

11:35

The trial in the criminal case of Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, an Armenian saboteur detained in Kalbajar, continues.

The judge explained the rights of the accused at the hearing, APA reports.

The judicial investigation was declared open.

The prosecutor read out the indictment.

According to the indictment, on August 16 of this year, a sabotage intelligence group of the Armenian Armed Forces violated the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan with Armenia on the territory of Istisu village of the Kalbajar district to carry out a terrorist sabotage operation in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, a member of the sabotage and reconnaissance group, was detained by servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

During the detention, he was found in possession of a large amount of weapons and ammunition. When disarmed, he put up armed resistance to the servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and tried to kill them.

09:44

A preliminary court hearing will be held on the criminal case of Gagik Ashotovich Voskanyan, an Armenian saboteur detained in Kalbajar.

The criminal case will be heard in the administrative building of Sabunchu District Court presided over by Ganja Serious Crimes Court Judge Abdulla Mammadov, according to Report.

The prosecutor is expected to announce the indictment at the hearing.

Voskanyan's rights are defended by lawyer Dilsuz Mammadov.

Five people are victims in the case.

As it has been reported, the General Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal case on the fact of violation of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 16, 2023, by a reconnaissance and sabotage group of the Armenian armed forces.

Voskanyan was charged under articles 206.3.2 (smuggling of firearms and ammunition by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), 214.2.1, 214.2.3 (terrorism with the use of firearms by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), 228.2.1 (illegal acquisition, transportation, storage of firearms by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), 283.2.1 (incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and enmity with the use of violence or the threat of its use) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan by a group of persons in a preliminary conspiracy) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.