What Happened in Shushi is Material for a Specific Criminal Case from Head to Toe: Movses Hakobyan

Regarding the question of who led the defense operation in Shushi, former Secretary of the Artsakh Security Council Samvel Babayan responded: “You understand there was no regular army in Shushi. It was a defense organized by individuals gathered by the president to stop the advance of the enemy. There was no regular army. Therefore, no one can say who led the operation. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the Turk arrived at Shushi on foot?”

We attempted to get some clarifications about the aforementioned operation organized by former Secretary of the Artsakh Security Council Samvel Babayan, but not carried out by specific battalions, from the military responsible at that time, General Movses Hakobyan. Addressing the operation, he initially noted with a nervous tone:

- First, let’s clarify who developed this operation you are talking about and what connection that individual had with the army at all?

- That operation was developed by Samvel Babayan and according to his words, was authorized by Arayik Harutyunyan and the commander of the Defense Army.

- My dear, such operations are developed by military personnel, not just anyone who happens to come along; this is not a game as many might assume, and unfortunately, they have assumed so.

- But Samvel Babayan is not someone far from the army, after all, he is a victorious general, isn't he?

- So what?

- I mean, he was well-acquainted with the terrain, and according to his own words, if that operation were conducted, perhaps Shushi would still be ours today.

- Well, let him have done it!

- They refused, how could he have done it?

- That's what I'm saying; everything had to be organized properly so that everyone knew what their function was. Again, I’m saying that this is not a game and dance operation, I am referring to the defense of Shushi.

- By the way, some quite serious military personnel were present at that consultation, for instance, Levon Mnatsakanyan and Artur Aghabekyan.

- And who says they are unserious people?

- I mean, if the aforementioned individuals were not informed that this operation might be realized and that there is a purpose behind it, would they have been present at that consultation?

- You know, you and I could have sat down those days and developed some defense plans as serious and patriotic individuals, but who would have listened to us, even if it had been the most brilliant and feasible plan?

- I told you that, according to Samvel Babayan, the authority to develop this operation and then take command of it was conferred upon him by the Artsakh president. He wasn’t acting independently.

- And who said Arayik Harutyunyan had the right to confer such authorities?

- And who had the right to confer such authority?

- The armed forces. Then you know, go and get answers to these questions from those individuals.

- We have received answers from those individuals and will continue to; but now we ask you, as a military man: who has the authority to order a battalion not to carry out a previously developed counter-offensive operation, especially in such a critical moment?

- The commander of that battalion.

- And who could give orders to that battalion commander?

- I don’t know, you weren’t there, and there are many questions. I am saying that what happened in Shushi constitutes material for a specific criminal case from head to toe.

- For example, could Onik Gasparyan give orders to the battalion commanders?

- I am repeating, I wasn’t there, I don’t know what anyone could do in that situation.

- Mr. Hakobyan, Samvel Babayan says there was no operation in Shushi, that there wasn’t even a regular army there.

- I do not wish to comment.

- Why?

- I am saying that what has occurred there is the subject of an entire criminal case—that is all.

- Mr. Hakobyan, why did Shushi end up in enemy hands, who is responsible?

- That was a good question because during the war, everyone sitting in various military facilities was developing counter-offensive plans for themselves. There was no specific leadership from one point.

- Why?

- Pose that question to the military-political leadership.

- Is specifically Onik Gasparyan responsible?

- Yes, everyone is responsible to the extent that they are capable.