Baku court hears Armenian general's confession on planting mines in Azerbaijani lands

On June 19, Armenian citizen Davit Manukyan, a former major general in the Armenian armed forces, appeared before the Baku Military Court to respond to charges related to the planting of landmines in Azerbaijani territories during the period of Armenian occupation.

Manukyan provided detailed testimony regarding the organised placement of landmines during his tenure as a military unit commander, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

"In the relatively peaceful period, when I was a commander of a military unit, there were incidents involving mines (referring to mining – Ed.). Although not on a large scale, such incidents did occur. There were clear instructions regarding forms and maps. Before each mining, the higher command would issue an order," Manukyan said.

According to him, the order clearly specified how many copies of the minefield maps, forms, and diagrams were to be prepared. “It included the addresses for where and what was to be sent. We acted based on these orders,” the defendant said.

Manukyan’s testimony is part of a broader judicial process in Baku, where several Armenian nationals are on trial for a range of serious crimes. The charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes such as the planning and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of international laws and customs of warfare, terrorism, the financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power.

The proceedings underscore Azerbaijan’s efforts to hold accountable those who are responsible for grave violations committed during the decades-long conflict over Karabakh and surrounding regions.

By Khagan Isayev