Baku court hears war crimes case against former Armenian officials

A military court in Baku continued hearings on Thursday in a case against former Armenian officials and military leaders accused of terrorism, war crimes, and other serious offenses.

Defendants including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan and others gave statements, while victims testified about events during the 2016 April clashes and the 2020 Tovuz clashes.

Witnesses described shelling of civilian areas by Armenian forces, causing injuries and deaths among non-combatants.

When asked about the late Azerbaijani general Polad Hashimov, defendant David Manukyan said, “From what I’ve heard, he was a good soldier and a good man.”

The trial is set to continue on May 30.