Manukyan reveals Armenia’s direct role in appointing military officials within separatist regime Updated

During a session at the Baku Military Court, Davit Manukyan, an Armenian national and former major-general, testified that the "Minister of Defence" for the separatist regime in Azerbaijan's occupied territories was appointed by Armenia.

Manukyan explained that the "President" of the illegal entity did not possess the authority to appoint the "Minister of Defence," Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

He further stated that, depending on Armenia's governance system, the "Minister of Defence" was appointed either by the President or another senior official.

Manukyan also revealed that senior military ranks within the separatist regime's forces were conferred by Armenia.

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During proceedings at the Baku Military Court on April 4, former Armenian general-major Davit Manukyan testified that while serving in territories previously occupied by Azerbaijan, Armenia sent him to Russia for training at the Frunze Military Academy.

Manukyan disclosed that Armenia had sent officers serving in the occupied Azerbaijani territories abroad for further military education, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Officers were sent to countries such as Russia, the United States, Germany, and Greece for training," he said.

"The Ministry of Defence of Armenia was responsible for sending these officers, and during their time abroad for training, the salaries of the servicemen were also paid by the Armenian Ministry of Defence," Manukyan added.

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During a court hearing on April 4, at the Baku Military Court, the accused, former Armenian military officer and Major General Davit Manukyan, confessed that weapons were smuggled into the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan from Armenia.

Manukyan also revealed that Armenia sent officers and other military personnel to serve in the occupied regions during the period of occupation, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The trial in Baku continues for several Armenian nationals who face charges of crimes against peace and humanity, stemming from Armenia's military aggression. The charges include war crimes, preparing and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing terrorism, and the unlawful seizure and retention of power, among numerous other offences.

To recap, a total of 15 Armenian nationals have been charged with numerous crimes involving direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, its state bodies, military forces and illegal armed formations, verbal and written instructions, orders and assignments, provision of material and technical support, central governance, as well as the exercise of rigorous control, with the aim of committing military aggression and acts of terror against the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territory of Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law, and involving Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Gharamyan, Monte Charles Melkonian and others, including criminal acts committed during the course of the war of aggression waged by the aforementioned criminal group.

The said persons, i.e. Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, are being charged under Articles 100 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection), 103 (genocide), 105 (extermination of the population), 106 (enslaving), 107 (deportation or forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (enforced disappearance of people), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary service), 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 118 (military robbery), 120 (intentional murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal association (organization)), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

By Aghakazim Guliyev