Azerbaijani hostage testifies about torture in Armenian custody Baku trial

A victim of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan has delivered harrowing testimony at the Baku Military Court, describing his illegal detention and torture at the hands of Armenian forces in 1990.

Karam Mammadov, who was taken hostage on March 7, 1990, recounted during the hearing how he and his colleagues were captured and brutally assaulted by Armenians in the Kapan district of Armenia simply for being Azerbaijani, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Mammadov stated that he had travelled to the border area between Zangilan and Kapan to restore a damaged communication line, along with Shakir Avaz oglu Baghirov, a driver named Emin, and a man assisting the local commandant. 

While checking the cable lines, they entered the Kapan district communication hub, where a group of Armenians gathered in the courtyard beat them with punches and kicks and took them hostage. Subsequently, employees of the Kapan District Department of Internal Affairs and Armenian soldiers arrived and transported them to the local police department. There, four Armenians in civilian clothing subjected them to torture, beating them with fists and kicks, causing various bodily injuries.

Mammadov sustained broken ribs, widespread bruising, and a traumatic brain injury. Baghirov suffered a cerebral haemorrhage.

Soviet military personnel from Zangilan later intervened, rescuing the hostages and transporting them to safety in an armoured personnel carrier. However, the group’s vehicle — a “UAZ” — was never returned and was reportedly seized by their captors.

Mammadov noted that the injuries he sustained required two months of hospital treatment.

This testimony is part of an ongoing trial in Azerbaijan, where several Armenian citizens are being prosecuted for crimes committed during Armenia’s military aggression. Charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, violations of the laws of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power.

By Vugar Khalilov