Former Artsakh leaders deny charges in Baku trial

Several former leaders of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have rejected charges against them at a court hearing in Baku, the Azerbaijani media reported.

At Friday’s hearing, final statements were delivered by former president Arayik Harutyunyan, former deputy commander David Manukyan and ex-presidential advisor David Babayan. All three denied the accusations.

Manukyan said he disagreed with the prosecutors’ arguments and insisted he had not taken part in meetings of the Artsakh Security Council, either as a member or an observer, saying his official duties did not allow it.

Babayan told the court he wished to deliver his closing remarks in Russian and set out his counterarguments to the prosecution.

The next hearing is scheduled for 22 December.