What Stage is the Case Against the Azerbaijani Leadership at? Details

The criminal case initiated against the Azerbaijani military-political leadership in connection with the attack on Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 is still in the preliminary investigation phase. This was stated by the Investigative Committee of Armenia in response to a written inquiry from Sputnik Armenia.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee of Armenia had announced that criminal proceedings had been initiated against about 20 representatives of the Azerbaijani military-political leadership and armed forces within the framework of the criminal case related to the 44-day war.

“The investigation continues in the department for particularly important cases of the main military investigation department of the RA Investigative Committee regarding the aggressive war unleashed and conducted by the military-political leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh starting from September 27, 2020, the use of mercenaries previously recruited during military operations, application of prohibited methods and means of warfare, failing to distinguish between civilian residents and military personnel, and deliberately targeting and shelling the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh’s populated areas, which are considered serious violations of norms of international humanitarian law, as well as acts of terrorism, financing of terrorism, and international terrorism,” the response stated.

The Investigative Committee has refused to provide further details, noting that the requested information is not subject to publication.

As of the latest data, the number of casualties during the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh in the autumn of 2020 totals 3,825 people. The whereabouts of 187 servicemen and 21 civilians remain unknown.

A criminal case has been initiated in Armenia in relation to Azerbaijan’s military aggression and the committed war crimes. Additionally, Armenia has filed claims against Azerbaijan in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

On November 9, 2020, the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan—Nikol Pashinyan, Vladimir Putin, and Ilham Aliyev—signed a statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. At that time, seven regions (Jebrayil, Zangelan, Kubatli, Fizuli, Aghdam, Kelbajar, and Lachin) came under Azerbaijani control, as well as the Hadrut region, the city of Shushi, and a number of settlements in the Askeran, Martakert, Martuni, Shahumyan, and Kashatagh regions.