  Baku accuses former Artsakh leaders of ‘recruiting mercenaries’ February 15, 2025 - 13:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During the ongoing trial at Baku's military court, Azerbaijani authorities have accused Artsakh's political and military leaders of recruiting 'mercenaries' and resettling diaspora Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The indictment mentions the involvement of organizations such as ASALA, which ceased operations long ago. The prosecution claims that diaspora Armenians who participated in the Artsakh war are 'terrorists,' and accuses the VOMA organization's 'Black Panther' unit of conducting military training for them. Additionally, allegations have been made against the Dashnaktsutyun party, as reported by Trend. Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Tugay Rahimli, presented 'evidence of terrorism financing during that period' in the indictment's conclusion. It is alleged that 'from May 1994 to September 2020, over 23,000 ethnic Armenians, including ASALA members and their families, were purposefully resettled in Karabakh from Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and other countries,' according to Trend. Further accusations pertain to ‘illegal economic activities' from 1992 to 2023, including exploitation of natural resources, agriculture, mining, hydroelectric power production, retail trade, and industrial manufacturing. Specific mentions include the activities of Frank Müller Group, 'illegal caviar production, and operations of Artsakhbank CJSC, allegedly leading to illicit profits.’ The trial is set to continue on February 18. Charges have been filed against 15 individuals, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, Davit Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Vasil Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, Davit Allahverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan, and Melikset Pashayan, under various articles of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code. The case against Ruben Vardanyan is being handled separately, with approximately 45 new charges under 20 articles of the Criminal Code, potentially leading to a life sentence.   Top stories The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, have arrived in Washington. The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says.   Partner news |  Latest news Viva sees growing demand for cloud services  In recent years, medical institutions are starting to make use of Viva’s cloud servicesTurkey replacing term "Central Asia" with "Turkestan" in textbooks The Turkish Ministry of Education is replacing the term "Central Asia" with "Turkestan" in textbooks.Armenia assumes presidency of Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities The Commission on Television and Radio of Armenia said it expects productive cooperation in various formats.Balance of attached cards in the Idram&IDBank app From now on, users will be able to view the online balances of cards issued by ArCa system banks and attached to the app. |
