Armenian ex-soldier testifies about joining Ruben Vardanyan-funded group Baku trial

The Baku Military Court on September 5 read out the testimonies of Levon Balayan, as well as other documents related to him, given during the preliminary investigation.

According to his statements, Balayan was conscripted into military service in January 1995 and served until 1998 in military units located in Shusha, Khankendi, and Khojaly, though he could not recall the unit numbers, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

During this period, he was issued an AKS-74 assault rifle. The units where he served were equipped with Russian-made heavy battle tanks, including the T-55 and T-72, as well as infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1 and BMP-2. Balayan also mentioned that one of his senior commanders, Levon Mnatsakanyan — who is currently detained as a defendant — frequently visited the units to inspect their combat readiness.

Balayan further stated that on September 20, 2020, he was forcibly conscripted into the “armed forces” by the Khankendi City Military Commissariat. During the early days of the 44-day war, from September 27 to October 2, he participated in battles as part of an armed unit near the “third line of defence” deployed close to Sugovushan. He served in a battalion called “Alasha.”

In addition, Balayan testified that on May 1, 2023, he joined one of the armed groups created and financed by Ruben Vardanyan in territories of Azerbaijan that were under occupation at the time. He received a monthly salary of 170,000 drams, ($700), through a card issued by Artsakhbank, an Armenian bank. He was detained by Azerbaijani servicemen on September 20.

The trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression — including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power — is ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli