Baku court screens video confirming Armenian national Ghukasyan’s presence in Shusha soon after occupation

During a session of the Baku Military Court on May 1, prosecutors presented video evidence confirming the presence of Arkadi Ghukasyan in the city of Shusha immediately following its occupation.

The footage—believed to have been recorded in the aftermath of Shusha’s occupation—was shown in court as part of the prosecution’s case. The prosecutors questioned Ghukasyan on the identities of individuals seen with him in the video, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Responding to the questions, Ghukasyan identified several figures shown in the footage: “The man in the center in civilian clothes is the driver. Behind me in a suit is Oleg Isayan. In the background, I can see Armen Isagulov. The second person is Zori Balayan. The one in civilian clothes is Vasily Atajanyan. Now Bishop Pargev is approaching the driver’s side… I don’t recognise the others; they appear to be soldiers.”

The footage is considered by the prosecution as significant evidence linking Ghukasyan to events that took place in Shusha following its occupation.

The trial is part of a broader judicial process currently underway in Baku against several Armenian nationals accused of grave international crimes. The charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, planning and waging an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power.

To recall, a total of 15 Armenian nationals are being charged with numerous crimes involving direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, its state bodies, military forces and illegal armed formations, verbal and written instructions, orders and assignments, provision of material and technical support, central governance, as well as the exercise of rigorous control, with the aim of committing military aggression and acts of terror against the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territory of Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law, and involving Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan and others, including criminal acts committed during the course of the war of aggression waged by the aforementioned criminal group.

The said persons, i.e. Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, are being charged under Articles 100 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection), 103 (genocide), 105 (extermination of the population), 106 (enslaving), 107 (deportation or forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (enforced disappearance of people), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary service), 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 118 (military robbery), 120 (intentional murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal association (organization)), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

By Khagan Isayev