Davit Manukyan urges Pashinyan to respond to Azerbaijani allegations

Armenian Major General Davit Manukyan, who is being held in Baku, has issued a message, calling on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to publicly reject fabricated charges against him and other Armenian prisoners.

In a message released amid appellate proceedings in Baku, Manukyan said he and 14 other Armenian citizens continue their "just struggle" in court, arguing that the case concerns not only the defendants but also the Armenian people and Armenia's statehood.

“This judicial process is not aimed solely at these 15 individuals, but at the past and present of the Armenian nation,” he declared. According to his statement, the prosecution's allegations extend back to the early 20th century. He said he and his co-defendants are contesting false accusations and are seeking to defend "the rights of ourselves, the Armenian people, and Armenian statehood."

Addressing Pashinyan directly, Manukyan referred to one of the charges alleging the planning, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war in September 2020. He argued that the events in question took place "in full view of the international community" and urged Pashinyan, who served as Armenia's prime minister and commander-in-chief at the time, to publicly state his position regarding the allegations.

Manukyan warned that silence would amount to acceptance of false accusations and would implicate not only Pashinyan but also the Armenian people.

He also called on the Armenian government to clarify the official status of the detainees under Armenia's state policy.

"Regrettably, we do not feel the presence of the Republic of Armenia here," Manukyan said. "But this is the reality."