Armenian defendant admits to serving illegally in Azerbaijan's formerly occupied lands Baku trial

In a court session at the Baku Military Court on April 10, Melikset Pashayan, an Armenian armed forces member, admitted to illegally serving in Azerbaijan’s formerly occupied territories. 

Responding to questions from state prosecutors, Pashayan revealed that he had been assigned a Kalashnikov rifle and had served at various combat posts in areas including the villages of Sarijali, Gulluja, and other parts of the Aghdam district, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

When questioned by state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Pashayan confirmed that “Aghdam is a region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” However, he struggled to provide a clear explanation of what or whom he was protecting on Azerbaijani soil during his service.

The trial is ongoing for several Armenian nationals accused of committing serious offenses, including crimes against peace and humanity. These charges involve war crimes, terrorism, waging and preparing an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, forcible seizure of power, and financing terrorism, among others related to Armenia's military aggression in the region.

By Vugar Khalilov