An open trial on the criminal case concerning the crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including waging an aggressive war, genocide, forced displacement of the population, persecution, torture, military robbery and other unlawful acts committed against the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people by the Armenian state and its Armed Forces, as well as the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" established in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed groups was held on Friday.
This process will primarily serve to establish Armenia’s state responsibility and other illegal actions as an occupying and aggressive country through judicial means, The Caspian Post reports, citing AZERTAC.
During the preparatory session held at the Baku Military Court in the Baku Court Complex, chaired by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), the accused were provided with Armenian language interpreters and defense lawyers.
First, the interpreters were announced, and the requirements of the legislation, including their rights and duties, were explained to them. Then, the accused persons were asked if they had any objections to the interpreters, or other participants in the process.
Then, the defense attorneys for the accused persons were announced. Six prosecution employees participated as state prosecutors, and Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers Apparatus, participated as a victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state.
It was reported that there are more than 531,000 victims and their representatives in the criminal case.
The judge noted that the rights and duties of the accused persons were explained to them in Armenian language.
Furthermore, their rights and duties were explained again during the court session.
Then, the court announced a break in the court session.
After the adjournment, A. Harutyunyan addressed the court saying that he wanted to make a statement. The judge gave the floor to him.
In his remarks, A. Harutyunyan said that he regretted his statement regarding the shelling of Ganja with missiles during the 44-day war, adding: “There is an opinion among the Azerbaijani people that I gave this order. This decision was not made by me. Yes, I had made a statement about this incident. Now I regret this statement and apologize. I did not have such a right, such an authority, nor the opportunity to express an opinion. I have explained in my testimony during the investigation why I have made this statement.”
Finally, the court postponed the trial until January 21.
There were more than 350 people in the courtroom, along with the victims, their representatives and legal heirs.
15 persons accused in the crimes committed by Armenian state and its Armed Forces, as well as the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" established in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed groups - Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri, Ghukasyan Arkadi Arshaviri, Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, Manukyan Davit Azati, Babayan Davit Klimi, Mnatsakanyan Levon Henrikovich, Beglaryan Vasili Ivani, Ghazaryan Erik Roberti, Allahverdyan Davit Nelsoni, Stepanyan Gurgen Homerosi, Balayan Levon Romiki, Babayan Madat Arakelovich, Martirosyan Garik Grigori, and Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri have been charged as accused persons under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, or waging an aggressive war), Article 102 (attacks on internationally protected persons or organizations), Article 103 (genocide), Article 105 (extermination of population), Article 106 (slavery), Article 107 (deportation or forcible transfer of population), Article 109 (persecution), Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons through violence), Article 112 (unlawful deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), Article 113 (torture), Article 114 (mercenarism), Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of war), Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict), Article 118 (war looting), Article 120 (premeditated murder), Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), Article 214 (terrorism), Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism), Article 218 (establishment of a criminal organization), Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosive substances, and devices), Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), Article 277 (attempt on the life of a state or public figure), Article 278 (forceful seizure of power and its forcible retention, forceful alteration of the state's constitutional order), Article 279 (creation of armed groups and units not provided for by law) and other articles.
