Baku court details accused Harutyunyan’s role in criminal network, armed operations

The criminal trial against Armenian citizens continued on November 6 at the Baku Military Court, as prosecutors presented key evidence implicating the accused in organized criminal activity.

State prosecutors opened the session by submitting documents and records demonstrating the defendants’ involvement in a criminal network. Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, provided evidence specifically related to the accused Arayik Harutyunyan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Court documents indicate that Harutyunyan joined the criminal organization in December 1991 and, while performing various roles within the group, participated both directly and indirectly in all crimes committed by the organization up to September 20, 2023.

The prosecution emphasized that Harutyunyan’s sustained engagement in the organization’s operations is corroborated by the evidence reviewed during the trial, underscoring his long-term role within the criminal network.

Court documents emphasized that, according to one of the reviewed materials, Harutyunyan, together with his brother, was implicated in crimes committed against Azerbaijan during the 1990s, including active participation in battles in the settlements of Karkijahan and Khojaly.

The evidence presented indicates that he was far from a passive participant; rather, he played a direct and instrumental role in sustaining the combat readiness of the adversary forces, provisioning armed units, and ensuring their operational capacity to carry out unlawful military actions.

Video evidence examined in court further demonstrates that the accused not only traveled to Azerbaijani territories under occupation but also personally conducted inspections of combat positions, evaluated the strength of forces stationed there, and facilitated the continuity of military operations.

These findings underscore his substantial involvement in the informational, organizational, and personnel support underpinning armed aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

 It was additionally highlighted that Harutyunyan, in committing numerous crimes and acts of terrorism targeting the Azerbaijani populace—including civilians—did not hesitate to publicize his actions globally via social media.

To recall, the Armenian citizens stand accused of grave offenses, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes such as planning and waging aggressive warfare, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and a range of other serious criminal acts.

By Vafa Guliyeva