Babayan: Baku responsible for Ivanian events, not Armenians

PanARMENIAN.Net - David Babayan, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, has sent an audio message from a Baku prison to 168.am via his family, stating that during his court appearance, he clearly said the Azerbaijani side is responsible for the events in Ivanian (Khojaly).

“Be well, stay strong, and don’t worry about us,” said Babayan.

He added that on April 24, in spirit and thought, he will be at Tsitsernakaberd.

“Dear friends, people: I want to tell you all—don’t worry, we are doing fine. Recently, local media here released distorted information about what I said regarding the 1992 Ivanian events. They interpreted it one way, but I said something entirely different.

I clearly stated that the Azerbaijani side is responsible for those events, which were the result of internal power struggles.

Also, I have never said that there was any reward for the liberation of Ivanian. That was misrepresented. I will clarify this at tomorrow’s court session.

Overall, we’re doing well. The treatment is very good, especially in isolation. We have had no problems—no harsh words, no hostile looks.

Everything is going smoothly in court as well. If it weren’t, such discussions wouldn’t even happen. Sometimes it gets intense, but it always stays within civilized bounds. Everything else is normal. Of course, we miss our families greatly. We’re deeply concerned for the fate of our Armenian nation and think about it day and night, but things will turn out fine.

Tomorrow marks the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I will be with you in spirit and thought. Stay well, stay strong, and don’t worry about us,” Babayan said.

On April 22, Azerbaijani media outlets circulated distorted information about Babayan’s statements during a court session the day before, falsely portraying his comments on the so-called “Khojaly genocide.”

Azerbaijan’s official propaganda continues to blame Armenians for the killing of Khojaly civilians. However, even then-Azerbaijani President Ayaz Mutalibov admitted in March 1992 that Armenians had left an escape corridor and that Azerbaijani forces near Aghdam were sufficient to assist civilians. Those Khojaly residents who didn’t leave the village surrendered voluntarily to the Armenian side without any preconditions.