Armenian defendant admits role in Khojaly massacre, reveals expulsion objective at Baku Court

In a major revelation at the Baku Military Court on April 18, Madat Babayan, an Armenian defendant, confessed to his involvement in the Khojaly massacre during the first Karabakh war, stating that the objective was to expel Azerbaijanis from Khojaly.

"Our commander, Henrik Tamrazyan, led us there. The goal was to expel Azerbaijanis from Khojaly," Babayan testified, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Babayan confirmed his presence in Khojaly on February 25 and 26, 1992, and explained that their mission was directed by Armenian commander Henrik Tamrazyan. 

"Our commander, Henrik Tamrazyan, led us there. The goal was to expel Azerbaijanis from Khojaly," Babayan testified. The defendant further detailed the chain of command, revealing that the orders in Khojaly were primarily given by Arkadiy Shirinyan, also known as "Kholostoy".

Babayan went on to identify Vanik Petrosyan as the individual who specifically commanded the soldiers to open fire on unarmed civilians. "It was Vanik who ordered us to shoot and kill the defenseless. Vanik and Arkadiy also desecrated the bodies of the dead, cutting off fingers and ears," Babayan said. 

Additionally, Babayan confirmed that the group entered Khojaly with weapons and armored vehicles, making it clear that their actions were part of a well-coordinated military operation. The accused did not shy away from acknowledging his direct participation in the massacre, stating candidly: "We made a mistake." Babayan also testified to having seen around 150 bodies in Khojaly, including the remains of women, children, and elderly individuals. He recounted that Armenian forces collected the bodies and transported them by truck.

By Naila Huseynova