Azerbaijani journalist testifies at Baku trial over deadly Armenian landmine attack in Kalbajar

Emin Mammadov, a journalist injured in a deadly landmine explosion in 2021, delivered detailed testimony on July 31 during a high-profile trial at the Baku Military Court involving Armenian nationals accused of war crimes and terrorism.

Mammadov, an employee of AzTV, recounted the events of June 4, 2021, when an anti-tank mine detonated beneath a vehicle carrying a media team and local officials in the village of Susuzlug, Kalbajar district, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The explosion claimed the lives of Siraj Abishov, a cameraman of Azerbaijan Television (AzTV); Maharram Ibrahimov, a correspondent of Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC); and Arif Aliyev, deputy representative of the village's administrative-territorial district. Mammadov and three others sustained injuries in the incident.

Responding to questions from the state prosecutor, Mammadov emphasized that the road where the explosion occurred had been used earlier without incident.

“I think the mine was planted later and it was a diversion,” he testified, suggesting deliberate targeting by Armenian forces after the area was reclaimed by Azerbaijan following the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

The victim also responded to questions from the defendants during the proceedings.

The trial forms part of an extensive legal process in Baku involving Armenian citizens charged with crimes against peace and humanity, including aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, terror financing, and the forcible seizure and retention of power, among other serious offenses.

By Vafa Guliyeva