During the trial in Baku concerning Armenian captives, including former members of the Artsakh military-political leadership, defense attorneys demanded the acquittal of several defendants, calling the charges fabricated.
Vasili Beglaryan’s lawyer, Azizagha Aghafarov, stated his client could not be found guilty of the alleged acts. According to Aghafarov, Beglaryan served as a soldier in 2012–2013 and signed a three-year contract in 2022 to serve in a Stepanakert-based unit. He was deployed to combat positions several times and performed active military duty.
Aghafarov said that Beglaryan’s three-year service as a contracted soldier should not be criminalized. While voluntary, the contract was signed due to his inability to find other work and was motivated by the paid nature of the position. He also confirmed that Beglaryan denies any guilt and urged the court to issue an acquittal.
Parvana Ghasimova, representing former Artsakh President Arkadi Ghukasyan, argued that her client had never been part of any criminal group and should be acquitted.
Valekh Gurbanov, defending Davit Manukyan, asserted his client pleaded not guilty and denied involvement in any criminal organization. “He was a soldier and acted in accordance with military regulations,” Gurbanov said, adding that the actual responsibility lies with Armenia’s military-political leadership, and calling for Manukyan’s acquittal.
Chingiz Mansurov, attorney for former Artsakh Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, stated that Babayan voluntarily surrendered to Azerbaijani forces in September 2023. He does not admit guilt and has requested an acquittal.
Leyla Namazzadeh, defending Madat Babayan, stressed that her client was not responsible for the November 20, 1991, incident involving a downed Azerbaijani helicopter. She said Babayan provided sincere testimony during the investigation and confirmed it twice in court. “Thanks to his honest recollection, remains of Khojaly victims from 1992–1994 were located and, after identification, returned to families and buried 30 years later.”
Though Babayan was present in Khojaly at the time, he did not kill anyone and now “sincerely regrets” the events, Namazzadeh added. Another defense attorney, Elnur Veliyev, also demanded Babayan’s acquittal.
The next hearing is scheduled for December 4.
