Victims of Armenian military actions testify in court

On July 31, the Baku Military Court continued its open hearings on the criminal cases against Armenian citizens, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. The defendants face charges related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes - including orchestrating and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war - as well as terrorism, financing terrorism, and the forcible seizure and retention of power, all stemming from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The trial, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each defendant was provided with an interpreter in their preferred language and legal counsel.

The session was attended by the accused, their lawyers, several victims, their legal heirs or representatives, and state prosecutors.

Judge Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, prosecutors, interpreters, and other court personnel to victims attending for the first time, while explaining their legal rights and responsibilities.

Victim Emin Mammadov, an AzTV employee, testified that on June 4, 2021, while traveling for filming in Kalbajar’s Susuzlug village, their vehicle struck an anti-tank mine planted by Armenian forces. The explosion killed AzTV operator Siraj Abishov, AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov, and Susuzlug village representative deputy Arif Aliyev, while Mammadov and three others sustained injuries. Responding to state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, he noted the road was previously used and suggested the mine was recently placed as sabotage.

Shohrat Jafarov, injured in the same incident, confirmed Mammadov’s account, stating they were in a KamAZ truck’s passenger compartment. Three others died, and he survived “by a miracle.”

Agharza Amirov testified that in 2012, while serving in Tartar’s Chayli village, he was wounded by Armenian gunfire.

Kamran Namazov recounted that on May 11, 2021, while farming in Gadabay, he stepped on a mine, resulting in the amputation of his leg. Responding to prosecutor Nasir Bayramov, he confirmed Saddam Nasibov was also injured in the incident.

Saddam Nasibov corroborated Namazov’s testimony.

Ilgar Hashimov stated that on December 21, 2020, during military service in Zangilan, he was injured when a Ural truck hit a mine. Responding to prosecutor Fuad Musayev, he noted two others were also injured.

Ramazan Sindiyev reported being wounded by Armenian gunfire during military service in Lalatapa on the night of August 4–5, 2016.

Afgan Alakbarli testified that on August 24, 2023, he was injured by a mine while farming in Khojaly’s Sighnag village.

Sevda Bashirova stated that on October 3, 2020, during the Patriotic War, she sustained shrapnel wounds from Armenian artillery fire in Beylagan.

Farid Aliyev, an ANAMA employee, reported injuries from a mine explosion during demining operations in Aghdam in August 2021.

Dayanat Aslanov, Haji Muradov, Toghrul Aghayev, Nahid Isfalyev, Mushfig Ibrahimi, Elnur Yusifov, Tarlan Guliyev, Mansur Babayev, Shirin Abbasov testified they were wounded by Armenian gunfire on various dates during the 2020 Patriotic War.

Rafis Mamishov and Azad Mukhtarov, civilians, reported injuries from a mine explosion in Fuzuli’s liberated area on February 2, 2021.

Iman Bakhshaliyev stated that on March 13, 2021, while herding sheep in Aghdam, he lost his right leg to a mine.

Nuraddin Azizli, a soldier, testified that on February 26, 2021, he was injured by a mine explosion during demining in Gubadli. Responding to prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, he noted another explosion occurred during evacuation, injuring others.

Rahil Dovlatov, Anar Dadashzade, Zabil Allahverdiyev, Tural Ishiyev, Nijat Aliyev, Sabuhi Hasanov, Elnur Abbaszade, Elnur Hashimov, Nasraddin Valijanov, Damir Shirinov, Jeyhun Aliyev reported injuries from Armenian provocations on various dates.

Alovsat Musayev, legal heir of victim Alakbar Musayev, testified that his son was killed by Armenian gunfire during the Patriotic War, with his body recovered in April 2021.

Bakhtiyar Maharramov, legal heir of victim Asaf Maharramov, stated his son was injured by Armenian gunfire during the Patriotic War and still faces serious health issues.

Siyasat Allahverdiyev reported injuries from a mine explosion on December 14, 2022, while operating an excavator in Kalbajar’s Chirag village.

Elmkhan Bakhshaliyev recounted being captured on December 10, 1992, in Zangilan’s Gazanchi village. Held in Armenia and the then Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani territories, he endured beatings, torture, and inhumane treatment until his release on May 10, 1996.

Dayanat Zahidov (2015, Tartar-Aghdara) and Elkhas Israfilov (2022, Lachin) reported injuries from Armenian provocations during military service.

Chingiz Hajiyev testified that in 1991, while herding in Khojaly’s Gushchular village, he was attacked and wounded by armed Armenians.

Khalid Dostaliyev stated that on August 17, 1995, he and six soldiers got lost in Murovdagh, entering Armenian-occupied territory and being captured.

Valizade Alishanov reported being wounded in an ambush near Sarsang reservoir on October 21, 1992. His brother Daghistan Alishanov confirmed the incident and noted his own injuries.

Asif Ahmadov testified that on November 15, 2020, he and his brother Yasin Ahmadov hit a mine. Yasin died, and Asif lost a leg. Another brother, Yusif Ahmadov, was martyred during anti-terror operations in September 2023.

Mahabbat Guliyev reported injuries from combat in Jabrayil on October 7, 2020, and during anti-terror operations in 2023.

Elmaddin Abiyev stated that on January 8, 2003, he was wounded by Armenian gunfire at a post in Aghdam, captured, and held in Khankendi for a month until released on February 6.

Elnur Karimov testified that in 1999, while serving in Nakhchivan, he was captured and tortured while in captivity.

Civilians Maarif Alaskarov, Samir Asadov, Vusal Guliyev, Fuzuli Mammadov, Sahib Aghayev, Duman Atayev, Samir Bayramov, Nizami Ibrahimov, and Alman Abbasov reported injuries from Armenian provocations on various dates during the 2020 Patriotic War.

Ramil Karamov (November 22, 2020, Lachin, ambulance), Alasgar Guliyev, Farid Jabrayilli, Ali Shukurov, Mahir Mustafayev, Samir Gozalov (June 17, 2022, Jabrayil’s Khudafarin village), Yadigar Shukurov (August 2, 2022, Fuzuli), Najmaddin Huseynov (August 30, 2022, Gubadli), Vugar Zulfigarli (March 23, 2022, Fuzuli), Namaz Bayramov (October 13, 2023, Khojavend), Shukur Taghiyev, Vasif Namazov (Kalbajar) reported injuries from mine explosions.

Maharram Guliyev testified that on October 2, 1992, he was captured, held for 40 days, and subjected to severe torture.

Victims also responded to questions from the accused, their defense attorneys, and their own representatives.

The trial will continue on August 1.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.