Deadly “game of roulette” in Armenian captivity Baku court hears harrowing testimonies

The Baku Military Court has continued hearings in the criminal case against a group of Armenian citizens accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

During the session, the court read out testimonies of victims who were unable to attend the hearing for valid reasons, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

According to Azad Kamal oglu Tahirov's testimony, while he was in Armenian captivity, a police officer named Maxim struck him in the face with the butt of his rifle, knocking out one of his teeth, and stubbed out a burning cigarette on his neck. Maxim also forced Tahirov and other prisoners to “play roulette,” taking turns putting a pistol with a single bullet to their heads. As a result of this “game,” Taghi Bayramov was killed, and his body was later buried by the river.

Testimonies from Telman Babir oglu Zeynalov and Bahruz Tapdig oglu Nasirov were also read out, stating that they were injured during a mine clearance operation in the village of Mehdili, in the Jabrayil district, when a mine exploded.

The ongoing trial in Baku concerns Armenian nationals accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, acts of terrorism, financing terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power, among other offences.

By Khagan Isayev