Court proceedings against Armenian individuals accused of war crimes continue in Azerbaijan

The criminal cases against Armenian citizens, including  Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, continued at the Baku Military Court in Azerbaijan on March 6.

The individuals face serious charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, the preparation and execution of aggressive warfare, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and the violent seizure or retention of power, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The hearing, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), saw all defendants being provided with interpreters in their native languages, as well as defence attorneys to represent them in court. The session was attended by victims, their legal successors, and representatives, along with state prosecutors presenting evidence against the accused.

A key moment in the proceedings occurred when David Manukyan, a former Major General in the Armed Forces of Armenia, testified. He admitted to fighting against the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the first and second Karabakh wars, confirming his military service in Armenia. 

Manukyan also stated that he did not participate in the meetings of the so-called "Security Council" of the separatist regime, claiming, “I did not participate in the meetings either as a member or as an observer, and I was unaware that they were taking place.” He also revealed that, from 2020 to 2023, around 10,000 military personnel were stationed in Karabakh.

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.

Naila Huseynova