Baku court reviews evidence on 1988–1991 Armenian assaults in Karkijahan

The criminal case against accused citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued on September 15 at the Baku Military Court with the reading of documents, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

One of the documents presented included testimonies from suspects and witnesses regarding mass unrest in the Karkijahan settlement of Khankendi between 1988 and 1991, including the destruction of Azerbaijani homes.

According to the document, suspect Georgiy Isakovich Sargsyan admitted that between September 18 and 20, 1988, Armenians destroyed and set fire to Azerbaijani homes, forcing residents to leave Khankendi. Sarkisyan also identified members of his unit, including Arkas, Shahin, Razmik, the Balayan brothers, driver Edik, brothers Vanik and Vachik, Grisha, and Maxim.

Witness Shahverdi Bakhlul oglu Safarov stated that beginning in 1988, attacks on Azerbaijani homes in Karkijahan were organized by an Armenian named Zhora, whom he knew. Another witness, Alexander Khachaturov, said that from February 1988, individuals including Araksi, Gurgen Kaprelyan, and Racha Beglaryan incited hostility between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Araksi reportedly called for the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Karabakh, while armed groups led by Zhora Sargsyan organized expulsions, dressed in military uniforms, and prepared actions against Azerbaijani residents.

The document also records testimony from victim Evez Ali Abuzarov, who said that in August 1990, Tapdigh Kochari oglu Rzayev was killed by Armenians with firearms. On June 3, 1991, Armenians attacked Karkijahan again, targeting Ramiz Salakhov, Shukur Gasim oglu Rahimov, Atdikhan Mahammad oglu Sahilov, Osman Mardan oglu Safarov, and others, leaving several injured and killing Safarov Agali Aydin oglu. Subsequent attacks included shootings on September 25 and 30, 1991, in which residents, including Telman Yelmar oglu Hasanov, were killed, and multiple others were injured, with eyewitnesses identifying attackers. On December 28, 1991, Armenians launched a full-scale assault on Kyarkidjahan, and on January 13, 1992, Ilkham Bahadur oglu Aliyev was shot and killed.

The ongoing trial involves Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, including acts of military aggression, war crimes, preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes.

By Khagan Isayev