Baku’s mock trial for Armenian hostages continues

The sham trial against former military and political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as other Armenians unlawfully held in Baku, is underway. On March 6, former Deputy Minister of the Defense Army of Nagorno-Karabakh, Major General David Manukyan, testified for the first time in Azerbaijan’s latest trumped-up hearing.

According to the Azerbaijani APA agency, Manukyan stated that during the 44-day war, his car was damaged by a Bayraktar drone, injuring his driver while he himself remained unharmed as he was 20 meters away from the vehicle.

“David Manukyan also stated that he cooperated very well with the investigators,” the report reads.

David Alahverdyan was also questioned during the March 6 hearing.

Azerbaijan confirms the presence of 23 Armenian POWs.

Azerbaijan has illegally arrested former Nagorno-Karabakh Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former MP Davit Ishkhanyan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Davit Babayan, former Minister of Defense Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan on trumped-up charges. 

False charges have also been brought against Vasily Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, Davit Alahverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan, and Melikset Pashayan. 

Former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan, during a telephone conversation with his family, conveyed a statement to the international community as a sign of protest against the rigged trial against him in Baku.

During the February 25 court hearing, Vardanyan’s health sharply deteriorated, which resulted in the session’s postponement; however, it was later resumed.

The latest hearing was held on March 4.

Ruben Vardanyan has been on hunger strike for 16 days. His lawyer and family members are sounding the alarm over the deterioration of his health condition, as well as reports that he has been subjected to torture.