Armenian nationals stand trial in Baku for 1991 Garadaghli shelling, civilian deaths

The Baku Military Court convened today to review critical evidence in the ongoing trial of Armenian nationals accused of war crimes, including the shelling of Garadaghli village in Khojavand district on June 27-28, 1991.

Among the key pieces of evidence presented was a document confirming the involvement of David Ishkhanyan and his brother Grigory Ishkhanyan in the attack on the Azerbaijani village and the subsequent killing of civilians, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During the proceedings, the preliminary testimony of Emil Balayan, a witness who had provided statements during the initial investigation in 1991, was read aloud. Balayan detailed how the attack on the farm in Garadaghli, which housed Azerbaijani civilians, was planned and executed.

According to his testimony the individuals involved in the attack on Garadaghli village alongside him were Balayan Emil Vartanovich, Avakyan Armin Rodikovich, Gabrilyan Monik Aramovich, Ishkhanyan Araik Yegorovich, Arapityan Armin Arzikovich, Ishkhanyan Davit Rubenovich, Kocharyan Davit Maksimovich, Grigorian Andranik Karlenovic, Ishkhanyan Grigori Rubenovich, Kocharyan Aras Maksimovic, Sevumyan Vrenik Karlenovic.

Balayan further stated that Volodya Khachaturyan was the person in charge of orchestrating the entire operation.

However, during cross-examination by the state prosecutors, David Ishkhanyan denied his involvement in the events at Garadaghli. He asserted that neither he nor his brother, Grigory Ishkhanyan, participated in the attack on the village.

The trial is part of a broader legal process in Baku, where several Armenian citizens face charges for crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, genocide, terrorism, and the violation of laws and customs of war. The accused are also charged with the preparation and waging of an aggressive war, forcible seizure and retention of power, as well as the financing of terrorism.

To recall, a total of 15 Armenian nationals are being 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 Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan 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 Vafa Guliyeva