BAKU: Azerbaijan has proceeded with trials involving Arayik Harutyunyan and other defendants accused of Armenian military aggression. The preparatory court hearing on charges related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other illegal acts, continued at the Baku Military Court. The hearing, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, included defendants provided with interpreters and legal representation.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the trial involves 350 participants out of over 531,000 recognized victims. During the session, defense motions were considered, including a request from Davit Babayan’s lawyer for a confidential meeting, which was granted. Other defense attorneys sought to change the defendants’ measure of restraint from arrest to house arrest. However, the prosecution and victim representatives opposed these motions, citing the gravity of the charges and the risk of flight.

The trial involves 15 individuals charged under various articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including planning aggressive war, genocide, torture, and terrorism, among others. These charges relate to the alleged actions of the Republic of Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the illegal “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”

Judge Aghayev allowed defendants to speak on the motions, with Arayik Harutyunyan stating no request for house arrest, unlike other defendants. The court will announce decisions on these motions at the next hearing on January 27. The defendants face charges for crimes committed during their involvement, which include serious violations of international laws and customs of war.