Baku court hears testimony on looting of Azerbaijani villages by Armenian civilians

At a court hearing at the Baku Military Court on May 26, evidence once again confirmed the looting of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories following occupation by Armenian armed forces during the First Karabakh War.

The defendant, Melikset Pashayan, told the court that he “served in the 31st battalion of the Asgaran district.” He stated that in 1993–1994, he was stationed at posts near the villages of Suma, Sarijali, and Gulluja in the Aghdam district, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“It was a rifle battalion. The unit had grenade launchers, mortars, machine guns, rifles, and grenades,” Pashayan said in response to questions from the prosecutor.

When asked whether he had taken part in looting after the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, Pashayan replied: “I didn’t take part in looting. By the time our shift ended, there was nothing left to loot.”

The defendant claimed that the looting was carried out by Armenian civilians. According to him, the military warned civilians not to enter the area: “They were warned they could be shot.” Pashayan added that the soldiers discouraged civilians from looting in order to protect them.

Pashayan also stated that he had been awarded the “Medal for Courage” by the self-proclaimed regime for his participation in the First Karabakh War: “I don’t remember exactly whether it was under Bako Sahakyan or Arayik Harutyunyan.”

Notably, court proceedings continue in Baku against Armenian nationals accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes—including the planning and waging of 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 offenses.

By Khagan Isayev