The March 17, 2025 proceedings took place at the Baku Military Court for a criminal trial that aims to prosecute Armenian nationals for war crimes and crimes against humanity and terrorism and violations of international law. These judicial proceedings illuminate how military aggression and genocidal actions together with forcible power maintenance took place in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia.
Legal Framework and Charges
The four defendants named Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Levon Mnatsakanyan stand accused of various significant offenses according to Azerbaijani legal code. The legal charge sheet contains breaches of international humanitarian law alongside war crimes and terrorism together with terrorism funding and additional offenses that include forced population removals and unlawful detention followed by torture. The legal complaints follow details stated within various sections of the Country’s Criminal Code which proves the seriousness of the complaints.
Court Proceedings and Testimonies
The court session involved questioning Levon Mnatsakanyan by prosecution officials combined with representative speakers from victim families and legal representatives of the defendants. Through his testimonial evidence he told the court about the hierarchical organization and monetary support channels as well as battlefield activities supposedly led by the territorial occupation authorities. Mnatsakanyan stated that Armenian state institutions through the Ministry of Defense took part in official appointments and weapon distribution as well as military conscription operations.
Mnatsakanyan confirmed how the Armenian leadership exercised complete control over separatist forces as well as how Armenian citizens comprised many of the soldiers in the occupied territories. Through his statements he denied the existence of an independent entity while showing how Armenia established system governance over the region.
Key Revelations from the Testimony
- Direct Armenian Involvement: The evidence shows that important military decisions about defense personnel leadership came from Armenian Prime Minister and Minister of Defense officials.
- Weapons and Logistics: The evidence showed weapons together with military supplies came from Armenia using an established logistics system.
- Military Conscription: Annually between 7,000 and 8,000 Armenian military conscripts spent time in occupied territory to demonstrate Armenian forces taking direct action in the region.
- Chain of Command: During examination the accused stated that the Chief of General Staff issued military commands through direct orders of the Armenian Prime Minister for possible war crimes.
- Civilian Casualties: Mnatsakanyan refused to accept that civilian targets became victims of accident-based missile strikes in Azerbaijani cities.
This well-publicized legal proceeding has become a landmark example that addresses the responsibility of military actors in wartime. The information collected during trial proceedings will affect both Armenian military operations and its international duty to uphold international law. The trial process demonstrates the fundamental necessity to deliver justice to the victims who suffered from military warfare.
Additional details about Armenian government participation in operations of the separatist forces are expected to emerge from the April 3 proceeding. These courtroom events demonstrate the requirements for international law compliance because they seek justice for wartime criminal activities. Throughout the hearings the international community tracks how the case evolves while analyzing its effects on international relations.
Mr. Malik M. Shafiq is the Managing Editor of “The Europe Today”. An expert on history, political science and current affairs. He is recognized as an authority on the National Issues, BRI, China, Climate Change and Central Asia.
