Baku Court Hears Testimony Confirming Looting by Armenian Forces During First Karabakh War

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Baku Military Court, in ongoing proceedings, has confirmed that Armenian armed forces looted residential areas in Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories during the First Karabakh War. The revelation came during the testimony of Melikset Pashayan, an accused individual currently standing trial in connection with Armenia’s military aggression.

Responding to questions from prosecutor Tarana Mammadova of the Baku district courts, Pashayan stated that he had served in the 31st Battalion of the Asgaran district and was deployed between 1993 and 1994 at posts near the villages of Suma, Sarijali, and Gulluja in the Aghdam district.

“It was a rifle battalion equipped with grenade launchers, mortars, machine guns, automatic weapons, and grenades,” he recounted during the hearing.

When asked about his role in looting activities following the occupation, Pashayan denied personal involvement, claiming: “I did not participate in the looting. By the time my shift at the post ended, there was nothing left to loot anyway.”

He further alleged that the looting had been carried out by Armenian civilians rather than soldiers, asserting that the military had attempted to deter civilians from entering the occupied zones due to the dangers of ongoing combat operations. “Don’t go there, you’ll get hit by bullets and shells,” he recalled warning civilians.

Pashayan also mentioned that he was awarded the so-called regime’s “Medal for Courage” for his participation in the war, although he could not recall whether it was during the leadership of Bako Sahakyan or Arayik Harutyunyan.

The trial is part of a broader set of legal proceedings against Armenian nationals accused of grave international crimes, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, acts of terrorism, planning and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, forcible seizure and retention of power, and financing of terrorism.

The Azerbaijani authorities continue to pursue accountability for the extensive human rights violations and destruction committed during Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories.