Baku, May 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Baku Military Court continued its open session on May 29 in the criminal proceedings against former Armenian officials and military leaders, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. The defendants face a wide range of serious charges stemming from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including crimes against peace and humanity, genocide, war crimes, and terrorism.
Presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (alternate judge Gunel Samadova), the court ensured that all defendants were represented by legal counsel and provided with interpretation services in their native language.
The session was attended by the accused, their defense teams, victims and their legal successors, and state prosecutors. At the outset, Judge Aghayev introduced the court personnel and interpreters, and explained the procedural rights and obligations to newly participating victims.
Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, proposed continuing the proceedings by interviewing victims under two investigative chapters and examining related documentation. The court then began hearing testimonies from victims of incidents that occurred during the April 2016 clashes, known as the “April Battles,” and the July 2020 escalation, referred to as the “Tovuz Battles.”
Victim Testimonies Detail Attacks on Civilians
Captain Elmir Abbasov, a former artillery battery commander, testified that during the April 2016 clashes in the Tartar district, Armenian forces fired prohibited, shrapnel-laced shells into civilian areas, using weapons designed to cause mass poisoning and indiscriminate destruction.
Abbas Allahverdiyev recounted repeated shelling of his village, Tap Garagoyunlu, noting that even after the government erected a stone barrier for protection in 2013, Armenian attacks continued. He suffered injuries and damage to his home during the April 2016 shelling.
Other victims shared similar accounts. Elvin Karimov testified to being wounded by shrapnel in Fuzuli’s Alkhanli village, while Anar Abdullayev described injuries sustained during shelling in the Aghdam district. Sirdash Karimov recounted how his cousin, Famil Mustafayev, was killed and others injured when Grad rockets struck their village at night.
Zahir Rahimov corroborated this account, adding that Armenian shelling destroyed parts of his home. Victim Simran Guliyev was also injured by a shell fragment in April 2016, while Mahbub Orujova and Selmina Aliyeva testified about damage to their homes in Gazakh’s Khanliglar village during the 2020 Tovuz clashes, emphasizing the absence of military units in those areas.
Vugar Sultanli noted that Armenian forces targeted ambulances and medical staff during the 2020 escalation, actions in violation of international humanitarian law. He was injured while evacuating wounded Azerbaijani officers, including the late Major General Polad Hashimov.
Further testimonies were heard from Mahammadali Imanov, Kamil Jahanov, and Aziz Shirinov, all of whom detailed attacks on civilians and residential areas, including damage to homes and fatalities caused by artillery shelling.
Evidence and Legal Review
The court reviewed medical expert reports and forensic documentation regarding the civilian casualties caused by the shelling in 2016. The list of deceased included Orkhan Rahimov (b. 1983), Farman Asadli (b. 1990), Turana Hasanli (b. 2000), Garash Dadashov (b. 1954), Famil Mustafayev (b. 1967), Ali Huseynov (b. 1942), and others.
Judge Aghayev noted that provisions would be made for defendants Davit Ishkhanyan and David Babayan to review the minutes of the previous court session with the assistance of an interpreter.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The defendants face multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including:
- Article 100: Waging a war of aggression
- Article 102: Attacks on internationally protected persons
- Article 103: Genocide
- Articles 105–110: Crimes against humanity, including extermination, enslavement, deportation, and enforced disappearance
- Article 113–116: Torture, mercenary service, violations of international humanitarian law
- Articles 214, 214-1: Terrorism and its financing
- Articles 218, 228: Creation of a criminal organization, illegal possession of weapons
- Article 278–279: Forcible seizure of power, creation of illegal armed groups
- Other relevant provisions
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 30, with proceedings expected to continue examining evidence and hearing additional testimonies from victims and witnesses.
Defendants
The individuals standing trial include:
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.
The trial marks a significant moment in Azerbaijan’s efforts to ensure accountability for alleged atrocities committed during the decades-long conflict over Karabakh.
