Trial of those accused of war crimes against Azerbaijan held in Baku

On August 15, the open trial continued in Baku concerning the criminal cases Armenian nationals Araik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and several others. The individuals are charged with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes — including the planning and waging of aggressive war — genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other offenses committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan.

According to Report, the hearing was held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev also presiding (alternate judge: Gunel Samadova). Each defendant was provided with legal representation and a translator fluent in their respective languages.

The courtroom was attended by the defendants, their attorneys, several victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors representing the state.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors, translators, and other involved parties to the newly attending victims. He also explained their rights and responsibilities as stipulated by the law.

Victim Lala Ismayilova stated that she was forcibly displaced from the village of Yukhari Yemazli in the Zangilan district as a result of attacks by the Armenian armed forces. Answering questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, L. Ismayilova said that her brother, police officer Ismayil Barat oglu Ismayilov, was killed by Armenian armed forces along with six other police officers on October 25, 1993, in the village of Darzili in the Jabrayil district. Their bodies have not been found to this day.

Answering questions from state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, victim Bikakhanim Guliyeva stated that her four-room house was burned down when the village of Orta Yemazli, where she lived, was occupied by Armenian armed forces in 1993. B. Guliyeva added that one of the police officers killed together with L. Ismayilova's brother — Ilham Imamgulu oglu Guliyev — was her own brother.

In response to questions from the defense, B. Guliyeva said that during the attack on the village, the gunfire came from the direction of Armenia's Kafan district.

In his testimony, Idris Mirzaliyev said that he was forcibly displaced from the Zangilan district. Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, head of department at the State Prosecution Support Division of the Prosecutor General's Office, the victim said he took part in efforts to repel the attacks by the Armenian armed forces and was wounded during the fighting in Zangilan and Tartar.

In her testimony, Khavar Shukurova stated that she was forcibly displaced when the village of Havali in the Zangilan district was occupied by Armenian armed forces in October 1993.

Maleyka Huseynova stated that due to attacks by the Armenian armed forces, she and her family were forced to leave their home in the village of Sharikan in the Zangilan district on December 10, 1992, as the village was occupied. They settled in another area of Zangilan. When the district was occupied in October 1993, they escaped by crossing the Araz River. Her brother went missing during battles against the Armenian army.

Ulkar Isgandarova, in her testimony, stated that she was forcibly displaced from the Zangilan district on October 29, 1993.

Ramal Mammadov testified that he was wounded in 2020 during the 44-day Patriotic War, as a result of artillery fire opened by Armenian armed forces in the Murovdagh area.

Tamila Suleymanova, in her testimony, said that she was forced to leave her home on October 30, 1993, when the village of Vejnali in the Zangilan district was occupied by Armenian forces. She stated that they escaped by crossing the Araz River.

Nazila Huseynova testified that she was forcibly displaced from the village of Garakhanbayli in the Fuzuli district on August 23, 1993, as a result of an attack by Armenian armed forces.

Vafali Qadirov stated in his testimony that while serving in the military, he was wounded by gunfire on February 2, 2017, as a result of a provocation by the Armenian armed forces. He noted that he still suffers from health problems related to that injury.

Answering the questions of Tugay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, the victim, Alamdar Madatov, said that in 1993 he and his seven family members were forced to flee their home in Zangilan district and became internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Answering questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Kamala Yusifova said in her testimony that she and her family were displaced from the village of Mammadbayli in the Zangilan district in 1993. After the Zangilan district was liberated from occupation, her son was severely injured during military service due to the explosion of a landmine planted by Armenian armed forces, resulting in the amputation of his leg.

In his testimony, Jeyhun Quliyev stated that he was forcibly displaced from Zangilan in 1993. In response to questions from the accused David Babayan, he said that since the Armenian armed forces had blocked other escape routes, they were forced to cross the Araz River to escape.

In his statement, Ibadat Suleymanov said that due to attacks by the Armenian armed forces, he and his nine family members were forcibly displaced from Zangilan district on October 30, 1993.

Isgandar Isgandarov stated in his testimony that in October 1993, he was forcibly displaced from the village of Shafibayli in the Zangilan district.

Zulfu Hasanaliyev said in his testimony that he was forcibly displaced from the Zangilan district and had participated in battles for the defense of the district. He stated that during the occupation, the Armenian armed forces acted brutally toward civilians, including women and the elderly.

Nabi Naghiyev testified that he was forcibly displaced from the village of Bartaz in the Zangilan district. He also said that his brother was martyred.

Khanoghlan Suleymanov stated in his testimony that he was displaced from the Zangilan district and that, as a result of attacks by Armenian armed forces, his brother’s underage child, Sadiq Suleymanov and his brother Baloghlan Suleymanov were murdered.

Eldar Novruzov said that in September 1992, a shell fired by Armenian armed forces hit the house where he lived in the village of Malatkeshin in Zangilan district. The village was later occupied.

Vidadi Orujov stated in his testimony that he was forcibly displaced from the village of Mammadbayli in Zangilan district. During the occupation, their homes were looted, the village cemetery was completely destroyed, and nothing was left at the site.

Rasim Jamalov, Raji Ismayilov, Barat Khanlarov, and Ashraf Ibadov stated in their testimonies that they took part in battles against the Armenian armed forces. They are also individuals who were forcibly displaced from Zangilan.

Abish Maharramov, Mahir Khalilov, and Habil Nuriyev said in their testimonies that they were forced to leave their homes due to attacks by the Armenian armed forces and escaped by crossing the Araz River.

Rovshan Abdullayev stated that in 1993, he was taken captive by Armenian armed forces. He was held in captivity for 35 months. The victim said that during captivity, he and other Azerbaijanis were subjected to torture, including electric shocks applied to their bodies. They were also forced to work illegally. He was held in Shusha for 2 years and 8 months, and was returned to Azerbaijan on May 10, 1996.

Elbrus Hajiyev, Elbrus Abbasov, and Adil Quluyev testified that in May 1992, during the occupation of Lachin district by Armenian forces, they were forced to leave their homes. Adil Quluyev also stated that he took part in battles to defend those territories.

Soltan Mammadov stated in his testimony that in August 1993, he was forcibly displaced from the village of Garvand in the Fuzuli district due to attacks by Armenian armed forces. He noted that some of his relatives were martyred during the attacks.

Vagif Huseynov said that he was forcibly displaced from the village of Mardinli in the Fuzuli district.

Anar Mammadov stated that during his military service, on September 1, 2015, he was injured due to the explosion of a mine planted by Armenian forces, resulting in the loss of his left arm.

Samad Ahmadov said he was injured during battles against Armenian armed forces in the Fuzuli district.

The victims also answered questions posed by the accused, including David Ishkhanyan, as well as questions from the defense attorneys and legal representatives of the accused.

The court proceedings will continue on August 18.