Shorouk Express
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 24. Documents related
to the events leading up to the occupation of Shusha, which shed
light on the military aggression by Armenian forces, were examined
today in the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court, Trend reports.
According to state prosecutors’ documents, Shusha and its
surrounding villages were repeatedly attacked by Armenian armed
forces using rockets and artillery prior to the city’s occupation.
These attacks resulted in numerous Azerbaijani casualties,
including fatalities, injuries, and hostages. Armenian forces also
targeted civilian infrastructure, including water pipelines in
Azerbaijani-inhabited villages, and caused significant damage to
schools, hospitals, and homes. Criminal cases were initiated at the
time concerning these incidents.
Among the key events reviewed in court were the Malibeyli and
Gushchular massacres. Another protocol examined concerned the
shooting down of a helicopter during a flight near Goytala, Shusha,
on April 4, 1991. Armenian forces fired upon the Ministry of
Internal Affairs’ helicopter N27057, which was carrying Azerbaijani
Supreme Soviet deputies. The helicopter, damaged by gunfire, was
forced to make an emergency landing, injuring some passengers.
The court also reviewed a protocol regarding the shooting down
of a passenger helicopter on January 28, 1992. The “MI-8T”
helicopter, belonging to AZALPANX, was shot down by Armenian forces
from the village of Karkijahan, Khankendi city, while en route from
Aghdam to Shusha. The crash, which occurred near the village of
Gaybali, resulted in the deaths of 42 people, including 39
passengers and 3 crew members. The wreckage and remains of the
victims were found burned and dismembered following the explosion.
Shrapnel fragments were recovered from the scene.
The trial continues for Armenian nationals accused of crimes
against peace and humanity, including war crimes, terrorism, waging
and preparing aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and
customs of war, forcible seizure and retention of power, and
financing terrorism, among other offenses related to Armenia’s
military aggression.
