Identity of 300 Mercenaries Fighting for Azerbaijan in the 44-Day War Uncovered

The Investigative Committee has disclosed and identified the identities of approximately 300 mercenaries who participated in military operations on behalf of Azerbaijan during the 44-day war. This was announced today by the head of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, Arghishti Kyaramyan, during his speech on the occasion of the Committee’s employee day.

“The factual data obtained during the investigation have been presented to various organizations engaged in the prevention of international terrorism,” Kyaramyan stated.

Within the framework of the criminal cases, actions taken against peaceful residents in Tavush region from July 12 to 17, 2020, and in Syunik and Gegharkunik regions on May 12, 2021, have also been examined. Similarly, acts of aggression directed towards the military positions in the direction of Ishkhanasar and Jermuk from November 14 to 16, 2021, as well as systematic, deliberate, and targeted attacks against the civilian population in Jermuk, Sotk, Vardenis, Goris, Kapan, Artanish, Ishkhanasar, and other settlements from September 13 to 15, 2022, have been studied.

The Chairperson of the Investigative Committee reported that around 150 criminal cases have been initiated regarding these crimes, which have primarily merged into five separate proceedings. Over 500 on-site examinations have been conducted, thoroughly investigating the circumstances leading to the deaths, abductions, and various degrees of bodily injuries of servicemen and civilians as a result of acts of aggression.

The obtained factual data has been systematically submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, the office of the representative for international legal matters, the office of the Human Rights Defender, and other interested entities.

Investigations are also ongoing concerning approximately 12,600 individuals regarding offenses against military service regulations during the 2020 war, with around 1,600 criminal proceedings initiated in this context. Among them, 833 individuals have been involved as defendants, including 78 officers (17 of whom are high-ranking), 150 contract servicemen, 491 reservists, 36 conscript soldiers, and 128 civilians.

Over 17,000 individuals have been interrogated. The preliminary investigations for 152 of the mentioned criminal proceedings have been completed and sent to court with an accusatory conclusion.

Currently, cases related to military operations within the Committee’s military investigation main department have been consolidated and are being examined in 130 separate proceedings.