Baku court reads out Mnatsakanyan’s preliminary investigation testimony

The Baku Military Court has read out statements given by the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan during the preliminary investigation in his criminal case.

According to AZERTAC, Mnatsakanyan stated that he began his military service in September 1992 as deputy battalion commander in the so-called “army” of the self-proclaimed regime. Over the years, he held various positions, including Chief of Staff of the regime’s “defence army” from May 2007 to November 2012, and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia from November 2012 to June 2015. He later served as Director of the “Rescue Department” in Khankendi from December 2018 to May 2019, and as “Police Chief” from May 2019 to June 2020. After retirement, he did not hold any official positions.

Mnatsakanyan confirmed that during his tenure as commander, the so-called “defence army” was financed and supplied by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia using the Armenian state budget. He also admitted participation in battles in Kalbajar, Fuzuli, Agdara, Aghdam, and Jabrayil districts during the First Karabakh War.

The trial continues for Armenian citizens accused of crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcibly seizing power, and other serious offences.

By Vugar Khalilov