Baku court: Ex-POW testifies to torture by Armenian forces during captivity

At a hearing held on July 28 at the Baku Military Court, Amin Musayev, a victim and former prisoner of war, testified about the severe mistreatment he endured after being captured by Armenian armed forces during the 2020 Patriotic War. 

Musayev recounted that he was shot in the area between the cities of Shusha and Khankendi on November 8 and was taken captive three days later while still wounded, Caliber.Az reports via Azertag. 

According to Musayev’s testimony, upon capture he was subjected to offensive language and physical violence, including being struck in the forehead with the butt of a rifle. He lost consciousness after being beaten inside a vehicle. Later, he learned that he had been taken to Yerevan.

Musayev further described how his leg wound was deliberately aggravated during captivity. Instead of receiving proper medical treatment, captors inflicted pain by painfully cleaning the wound with tweezers while leaving pus inside, effectively torturing him. He also stated that hot water was poured over him up to his neck as part of the abuse.

"The more I screamed, the more violence they used," he testified. 

He was eventually released and handed back to Azerbaijani authorities on December 14. Since his return, Musayev has undergone four surgeries to treat his injuries.

The court continues to try Armenian citizens accused of a wide range of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes — including the planning and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war — as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression.