Baku court hears testimony of brutality during Armenian captivity “Mnatsakanyan forced me into a trench and opened fire”

At today’s (October 2) hearing in the Baku Military Court in the criminal case against Armenian nationals, the victim, Ilham Mammadov, gave his testimony.

Thus, Mammadov stated that on May 10, 2002, while serving in the military and en route to a post at Harami Duzu, he was captured by Armenian armed forces, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The victim emphasised that he was unarmed at the time. During his captivity, Mammadov said, he was beaten and tortured by Armenian soldiers. He highlighted that one officer in particular treated him with exceptional cruelty. Mammadov later learned that the officer’s name was Levon.

Answering questions from state prosecutors, Mammadov identified the accused, Levon Mnatsakanyan, as the officer responsible.

He said: “He struck me with his fists and the butt of a rifle. He forced me into a trench and opened fire. I was standing with my back to the Azerbaijani army positions. He made me stand in a way that could have led our side to kill me by mistake. Afterwards, he made me walk over mined areas.”

Mammadov was held for a week in the occupied territories before being transferred to Armenia. He was returned to Azerbaijan six months and 15 days later.

The victim added that he did not know Mnatsakanyan or his rank before his captivity, but judging by the officer’s authority, he assumed he was a chief of staff.

When questioned by Levon Mnatsakanyan, Mammadov stated that he was born in 1973 and held the rank of senior lieutenant at the time of his capture. He also noted: “I graduated from the Azerbaijan Agricultural Institute and received an officer’s rank. There was a military faculty there.”

The trial in Baku continues against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including planning and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other offences.

By Aghakazim Guliyev