Armenian president granted general rank to separatist chief Harutyunyan testifies in Baku

At an ongoing hearing at the Baku Military Court, Arayik Harutyunyan, former “president” of the self-proclaimed separatist regime in Karabakh, made notable disclosures regarding the structure and chain of command of Armenian-backed forces during the 2020 conflict.

During the trial, Harutyunyan revealed that the rank of lieutenant general was awarded to Jalal Harutyunyan, the so-called “defence minister” of the illegitimate entity created in Azerbaijan’s formerly occupied territories, by the then-President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Harutyunyan stated that the so-called regime’s “army” lacked the authority to make such high-level decisions independently. “The rank of lieutenant general was granted to Jalal Harutyunyan by the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian. The order was signed by the president upon the recommendation of the prime minister,” he said.

In his testimony, Harutyunyan also shed light on the judicial and law enforcement infrastructure—or lack thereof—within the breakaway structure. “The military police is a structure of the Armenian Armed Forces. The military prosecutor’s office functioned within the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office. I believe general court proceedings were conducted in the Syunik court. In other words, such judicial processes were not held in Karabakh,” he stated, underlining that the illegitimate entity did not possess an independent military police, prosecutor’s office, or judiciary capable of prosecuting war crimes.

These revelations come amid the broader trial of Armenian nationals accused of grave offences stemming from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. The charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, terrorism, and the unlawful seizure and retention of power.

The Baku Military Court continues to examine evidence and hear testimonies in what has become one of the most high-profile legal processes related to the First and Second Karabakh wars and their aftermath.

By Vugar Khalilov