Former POW tells Azerbaijani court he was tortured in Armenian captivity

Veliakhad Veliev, a former Azerbaijani soldier captured during the 44-day war in 2020, testified in a trial held on July 25 at the Baku Military Court, alleging he was tortured while in Armenian captivity.

Veliev said he was wounded by gunfire and shrapnel and captured by Armenian forces on October 22 in Zangilan. Several of his fellow soldiers were killed in the same battle.

He testified that after regaining consciousness, he was tortured — his right big toe was crushed with pliers, he was punched and kicked in the face, and beaten on the arms and legs with a baton.

He was repatriated to Azerbaijan on December 14.

The trial of Armenian nationals accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including genocide, aggression, terrorism, and illegal seizure of power, is ongoing in Baku.