Khojaly massacre victim testifies about torture in Armenian captivity Baku Court Trial

The Baku Military Court held a hearing on July 11, where witnesses who suffered from the Armenian armed forces’ occupation of Azerbaijani territories gave their testimonies.

Mehriban Bakirova, a victim of the conflict, testified that during the night of February 25–26, 1992, amid the Khojaly genocide, she was taken hostage by Armenian armed forces and held in Khankendi for 10 days. At the time, she had four young children, including a newborn. Her 18-month-old son was seriously injured by shrapnel to the head, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

While in captivity, Bakirova was tortured and pressured to reveal information about her husband, Abdulla Gamzaev, who worked as a police officer at Khojaly airport.

The victim also shared that even before the genocide, Khojaly was frequently shelled, forcing them to take refuge in a basement where she gave birth to her child on February 23.

Victim Avaz Abbasov recounted that he lived in Kerkidjahan, and in 1989 his brother died from the explosion of a grenade thrown by Armenians.

“I was in third grade at the time, and my brother Eyvaz was in first. A group of people came up to us and said they would take revenge on Azerbaijanis. When I tried to call for help, they threw a grenade at us. My brother was killed, and I was seriously injured. I was treated in hospitals in Shusha, Aghdam, and Baku,” he shared.

It should be noted that the trial is ongoing in Baku of 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, violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes.