On January 17, an open trial commenced concerning crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other illegal acts committed by the Armenian state, its armed forces, and the illegal armed formations of the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" established by Armenia in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. These crimes include waging an aggressive war, genocide, forced displacement, persecution, torture, military looting, and more.

Axar.az reports that the trial aims to legally establish Armenia’s state responsibility as an occupying and aggressive power and confirm its unlawful actions.

The preparatory hearing was held at the Baku Military Court, located within the Baku Court Complex, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev on the panel (with reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused were provided with Armenian-language interpreters and legal defense counsel.

Initially, interpreters were introduced, and their rights and obligations under the law were explained. The court clarified whether the defendants, interpreters, or other participants had any objections to the interpreters or the composition of the court. Following this, the defense lawyers for the accused were announced. Representing the state prosecution were six prosecutors, while Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers' Apparatus, represented the Azerbaijani state as a plaintiff.

It was reported that the case involved over 531,000 victims and their representatives. The judge noted that the accused were informed of their rights and obligations in Armenian and were reminded of them during the hearing.

A recess was declared during the proceedings. After the break, defendant A. Arutyunyan requested to address the court. Granted the opportunity to speak, Arutyunyan expressed regret regarding a previous statement he had made about missile attacks on Ganja during the 44-day war:

“The Azerbaijani people believe that I gave the order for this act. However, this decision was not made by me. Yes, I did issue a statement regarding this incident, for which I now regret and apologize. I had neither the authority nor the capacity to make such a decision. I have explained why I made that statement during the investigation.”

The trial will be adjourned until January 21.

Notably, over 350 individuals, including victims, their representatives, and legal successors, attended the courtroom session.

The indictment accuses 15 individuals, including Araik Vladimir Arutyunyan, Arkadi Arshavir Gukasyan, Bako Sahak Saakyan, and others, of crimes under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including planning, preparing, initiating, and waging aggressive war; genocide; extermination; deportation; persecution; enforced disappearance; torture; mercenary activities; violations of the laws and customs of war; intentional homicide; terrorism; and more. These charges fall under various articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, such as Articles 100, 103, 105, 107, 113, 115, 214, 277, and others.