Victim testifies to torture, abuse during captivity by Armenian armed forces

At the Baku Military Court, Sharif Aliyev, a victim and former Azerbaijani soldier, testified on August 7 regarding his capture and torture during the 44-day Patriotic War in November 2020.

Aliyev stated that he was wounded and taken captive in the Khojavend direction. While in captivity, he was subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and torture, such as pressure being applied to his wounds, Caliber.Az reports via Azertag. 

According to Aliyev, he was later transferred to another location, which he learned was the Armenian capital, Yerevan. Prior to his capture, he had sustained injuries to his chest and both legs. After his capture, Armenian soldiers spoke to him in Russian and Armenian, instructing him to repeat certain phrases. When he refused, he was shot in the foot of his right leg.

Responding to questions from one of the accused, David Babayan, Aliyev said that before his capture, four of his fellow soldiers were killed, and he, along with another soldier, was wounded.

The other wounded Azerbaijani soldier was shot and killed by Armenian servicemen with a “confirmation shot,” while Aliyev was taken captive.

In response to questions from another accused, Davit Ishkhanyan, Aliyev stated that he underwent surgery at a clinic in Ganja after being returned to Azerbaijan. He was repatriated on December 15, 2020.

The trial of several citizens of the Republic of Armenia continues at the Baku Military Court. The individuals are accused of multiple crimes, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes — such as the planning and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war — as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses committed during Armenia’s military aggression.