BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 26. On December 26,
the open trial continued in the criminal cases against Armenian
citizens Araik Harutyunyan, Arkady Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, David
Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others accused
of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the
preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violation of
the laws and norms of war, as well as terrorism, financing of
terrorism, violent seizure of power, violent retention of power,
and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia’s military
aggression against Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
At the trial held at the Baku Military Court, presided over by
Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev
(and reserve judge Gunel Samedova), each of the defendants was
provided with an interpreter in their language, as well as lawyers
for their defense.
The hearing was attended by the defendants, their lawyers, some
of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as
prosecutors representing the state.
The presiding judge, Agayev, announced that the trial would
continue with the defendants’ closing arguments.
The final statement at the hearing was made by the defendant,
Davit Ishkhanyan.
In his speech, he stated that he did not agree with the charges
brought against him and presented his counterarguments against the
prosecution’s position.
Ishkhanyan stated that he did not participate in the violent
eviction of people from populated areas, illegal settlement,
mining, planning aggressive warfare, preparing new plans of attack,
genocide, extermination of civilians, violation of the laws of war,
persecution of civilians, hostage-taking, deprivation of liberty in
violation of international law, torture, murder of civilians,
looting of property, participation in a criminal organization,
illegal transportation of weapons and ammunition, etc.
The defendant also spoke about the tragedy in Karakand that
occurred on November 20, 1991. He claimed that the explosion of an
Azerbaijani helicopter with high-ranking officials on board was an
accident.
In his speech, Ishkhanyan also touched upon the points of the
indictment concerning prisoners and hostages. He noted that he had
no contact with Azerbaijani prisoners and hostages.
“I do not consider myself guilty, I have not committed any
crime,” D. Ishkhanyan said at the end of his speech.
Presiding Judge Agayev then concluded the closing statements. He
addressed the parties (the prosecution, the victim, and the
defense) and asked if they would submit a draft verdict. The
parties stated that they would not submit a draft verdict.
After that, the presiding judge declared the court session
closed.
The judicial panel went into deliberation. The court’s verdict
will be announced after they return from deliberation.
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 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.