During occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian armed forces, individuals who endured horrific tortures in captivity and as hostages testified in court

As a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes were committed. The open court hearing regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, continued on July 10.

1news.media reports that the hearing, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that all accused persons were provided with interpreters in their known languages and defense attorneys.

The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the state’s charges.

Judge Zeynal Agayev introduced the court panel, the prosecutors defending the state’s charges, interpreters, and others to the victims participating in the process for the first time. He also explained their rights and obligations as stipulated by law.

Victim Vugar Eminov stated that in 1994, he was taken captive while wounded in the village of Gulluja, Agdam. He was first taken to Khankendi, then to Shusha, where he was held in prison. During his captivity, he was subjected to horrific tortures. He was beaten daily with rubber batons and iron objects, and electric shocks were applied to his body. He was forced into labor and worked in harsh conditions for a long time. In response to a question from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, he noted that some captives held with him died as a result of the tortures. He was released from captivity in 1995.

Victim Teyyib Ismayilov also suffered due to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. In his testimony, he stated that he was wounded and lost his health as a result of this war. In response to a question from state prosecutor Tarana Mammadova, he said that at the time, Armenian armed forces attacked residential areas with large-caliber weapons and heavy equipment.

Imran Guliyev testified in court that when Armenia occupied Khojaly, his sister Zohra Guliyeva was martyred, and he himself was wounded. The enemy did not even allow him to retrieve his sister’s body. He managed to do so only three days later with great difficulty. The fate of his brother Zakir Guliyev remains unknown to this day. In response to a question from Nasir Bayramov, head of the department for defending state charges at the Prosecutor General’s Office, he stated that the civilian population of Khojaly, under siege at the time, was subjected to daily shelling.

Victim Ramil Alakbarov said that he lived with his family in an area called Qala Valley in Khojaly. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, during the Khojaly genocide, Armenians opened fire on Azerbaijani civilians, resulting in deaths. He himself was wounded in his right leg and was taken hostage along with more than 200 other Azerbaijanis. The then 12-year-old victim stated that 12-13 hostages were taken out to a field by Armenians and all were shot dead. Some hostages were singled out and taken away in vehicles to an unknown destination.

Ramin Azizov said that his relatives were killed during the Khojaly genocide. He was 14 years old at the time of the events and sustained injuries to various parts of his body from the explosion of an “Alazan” rocket fired by Armenians. Azizov stated that on February 26, he was taken hostage along with other Azerbaijanis and was released on March 3. In response to a question from Tugay Rahimli, assistant to the Prosecutor General for special assignments, he said he was held hostage for 26 days. “Despite my young age, they tortured and beat me. I remember the name of one of the torturers, an Armenian named Edik,” he added.

During the occupation of Khojaly, victim Mubariz Hamidov was 13 years old. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, he was awakened by the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and people screaming. Armenian armed forces attacked the city, burning homes and shooting people. Civilians, trying to save their lives, fled barefoot and bareheaded in the snow and frost toward the Katik forest. However, the enemy did not even allow them to escape, opening fire and creating a hail of bullets along the way. In response to a question from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Mubariz Hamidov said he managed to escape and reach the village of Shelli in Agdam. During the events, he lost his mother, uncle, and several other relatives. The fate of his mother remains unknown to this day. At the time, his feet were frostbitten, and doctors had to amputate three of his toes.

Ramin Baghirov stated that during the Khojaly tragedy, he was a minor and was taken hostage along with his relatives in a place called Dahraz. They were held in a pig farm. On February 29, he was released from captivity along with other Azerbaijanis. During the Khojaly events, his uncle and cousin went missing, and there is still no information about them.

Rovshan Khudayarov said that he was 19 years old during the Khojaly genocide. Due to the attack, he, along with his siblings and other relatives, was forced to leave their residential area. He stayed in the forest with other relatives and fellow villagers and was taken hostage by Armenian armed forces on February 28. During their capture, they were fired upon, resulting in deaths and injuries. Khudayarov himself was wounded at the time.

Khalig Mirzayev stated in his testimony that in August 1996, while walking in the forest in the Garavalilar village of Goygol district, he was taken hostage by Armenian armed forces. He was returned to Azerbaijan after 45 days.

Vagif Namazov stated in his testimony that during the Khojaly genocide, he sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, with approximately 20 pieces of shrapnel still remaining in his body. He noted that Armenian soldiers took him hostage and brought him to Askeran. He was returned to Azerbaijan on February 27.

Jeyhun Abdulov stated that he was born in Khojaly and left the city with his family during the genocide. At the time, he was wounded and taken hostage along with his mother. He was later taken to Khankendi and held in captivity for three months.

Murvat Mammadov said that his family was among those forcibly displaced from Western Azerbaijan. They settled in Khojaly in 1988. During the Khojaly genocide, he was wounded and taken hostage with his family. His father and brothers were beheaded. In front of his eyes, a minor boy from Khojaly named Ahmad was shot in the palm of his hand with a firearm. In response to a question from Vusal Aliyev, senior assistant to the Prosecutor General, he stated that during the seven days he was held hostage, he was subjected to various tortures. Five other family members were also held hostage and subjected to torture. “My father and brothers were beheaded. Their bodies have not been found to this day,” he added. He noted that he was held hostage for seven days and endured torture during that time.

Alasgar Abbasov stated that he was wounded in 1992 during battles to defend villages in the Gazakh district.

Vahid Guliyev said that in 1992, he was wounded and taken captive in Qirmizibazar. He was handed over to Azerbaijan after one month and four days, during which he endured brutal tortures.

Safar Sadigov stated that he was wounded and taken captive during battles for Farrukh Mountain. He was subjected to various severe tortures during his captivity.

Mehman Yusifov, Ali Ismayilov, Adil Yusifov, and Nazim Huseynov stated that they were wounded in 1992 during battles to defend the Qushchu Ayrım village in Gazakh district due to shelling by the Armenian army.

Tahsin Hasanov in 1991 and Famil Mammadov in 2003 said they were taken hostage in Gazakh district. Both noted that they were subjected to torture during their captivity.

Mikayil Ibrahimov said that in 1992, he was wounded in the Balajafarli village of Gazakh district when Armenians fired on a civilian vehicle.

Aydin Suleymanov stated that in 1995, while grazing animals in the Kamarli village of Gazakh district, he was taken hostage and returned to Azerbaijan after three days. During that time, he was subjected to various tortures and beaten.

Zaur Aliyev stated that during the occupation of Shusha by Armenian armed forces in 1992, his father’s ribs, his uncle’s jaw, and teeth were broken. Their house was looted, and they were taken to Khankendi. His uncle was held hostage for four months, his father for five months. He himself was held in a yard shed at an Armenian’s house in Armenia’s Gafan district, with his legs tied with a rope for two weeks. He was held hostage for a total of six months, at the age of nine.

Bashir Garayev stated that he was taken hostage in 1993 and held in the Shusha prison, where he was subjected to torture. He said that deceased Azerbaijani captives and hostages were buried in the prison’s yard.

Omar Alakbarov stated that on November 9, 2020, he was wounded in Khojavend and taken captive while unconscious. He was subjected to torture during the 34 days of his captivity.

Hamaya Aliyeva stated that on April 8, 1992, when Armenian armed forces attacked the Aghdaban village in Kalbajar district, the villagers were killed. Her husband, Kamal Abiyev, and daughter, Ulviyya Abiyeva, were killed at the time.

Vazeh Garashov stated that during the Armenian army’s attack on Aghdaban, his house, like other houses in the village, was looted.

Duman Museyibov stated that in 1992, in Goranboy, his brother was shot and killed by Armenian armed forces, and he himself was wounded.

Yalchin Suleymanov stated that during battles for Aghdara in 1992, he was taken captive and held in Shusha for two years and eleven months, during which he was tortured and forced to work.

Bayram Karamov said that on November 8, 2020, he was wounded due to shelling by Armenian armed forces, taken captive on November 11, and handed over to Azerbaijan on December 14. He was subjected to various tortures during his captivity.

Elkhan Novruzov stated that in 1992, he was wounded and taken captive in Kalbajar. He was held in Aghdara district, where he was beaten, subjected to numerous tortures, and had his teeth pulled out. Novruzov was held captive for four years and one month and was released on May 10, 1996.

Samir Majidov stated that he was wounded during battles for Agdam and taken captive by Armenian armed forces, who brought him to Shusha prison. He was held captive for two months and six days, during which he was tortured and beaten with various tools.

Zaur Aliyev stated that he was held captive for eight months, during which he, like other captives and hostages, was subjected to torture.

The victims also answered questions from the accused, their defense attorneys, and their representatives.

During the court process, the results of forensic medical examinations conducted on the victims were also announced.

The court process will continue on July 11.

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 other articles.