Prosecutorial Conclusion Read for Armenian Prisoners of War in Baku: Facing 14-20 Years or Life Imprisonment

At the Baku Serious Crimes Court, the prosecutorial conclusion was read for 14 Armenian prisoners of war during the latest hearing of their criminal case.

According to minval.az, the accused include Gegham Samveli Serobyan, Hrach Arzumani Avagyan, Armen Yeghiazari Baghasyan, Gor Vahrami Gasparyan, Kamo Karen Safilyan, Volodya Vachagani Hakobyan, Gevorg Norayri Asertyan, Sisak Grishayi Yengoyan, Albert Komiyi Petrosyan, Romik Misaki Sedrakyan, Aram Garniki Minosyan, Mkrtich Simoni Minosyan, Edgar Vachagani Matehsyan, and Yuri Tigrani Karapetyan. They are charged with "diversion" and "terrorism" (quotes added by the editors).

According to the prosecutorial conclusion, "a group of citizens from Armenia illegally acquired weapons and ammunition and created armed formations not authorized by law. The members of these formations violated the state border of Azerbaijan and seized combat positions in the forested area of the northern northwestern part of the village of Hadrut in the Martuni region between November 26-27, 2020, and until December 13, 2020, they carried out armed attacks on enterprises and institutions located in the country, as well as on individuals" (quotes added by the editors).

They are charged under articles 214 (terrorism), 228 (illegal acquisition and storage of weapons and explosives), 279 (creation of illegal armed formations), and 318 (illegal crossing of the state border). Judge Afghan Hajiyev stated that if the charges are confirmed during the trial, the defendants could face a sentence of 14 to 20 years or life imprisonment.