Babayan and Mnatsakanyan denied the charges in a Baku court.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Minister David Babayan and former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan delivered their closing statements at a Baku court today. Before them, former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan delivered his closing statement, sparking a debate between Armenian and Azerbaijani Facebook users*.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the trial of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders accused of war crimes concluded on October 31. The prosecution requested life sentences for Arayik Harutyunyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan, and 16 to 20 years in prison for the others. On December 4, the lawyers of their clients called the guilt of their clients unproven and called on the court to acquit them. On December 11, eight defendants in the case against the military-political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh made their final statements before the court in Baku. All of them stated that they do not consider themselves guilty of the war crimes charged against them.

On December 22, the Baku Military Court continued the criminal trial against the former Karabakh leaders, with two defendants delivering their final statements.

The defendants, David Babayan and Levon Mnatsakanyan, addressed the court with their closing arguments. In their statements, they presented arguments that contradicted the prosecution's arguments set out in his appeal, Trend reports today.

Earlier, David Babayan stated during a hearing in Baku that he "opposed the integration of Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijan." He said former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan held the same position. Babayan stated that "not a single official saw the prospect of such integration," Sputnik Armenia reports.

Social media users debated Arayik Harutyunyan's guilt

In turn, Facebook* users, as of 6:00 PM Moscow time, had left more than 706 comments under the "Caucasian Knot" post about the position of former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, who refused to admit his guilt at the December 19 hearing.

Azerbaijani users in the comments believe that Arayik Harutyunyan and other Karabakh leaders committed war crimes, including the murder of civilians, and should receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.

“They are war criminals and must be punished. No criminal considers himself guilty,” wrote Elmira Tagiyeva.

22:12 28.11.2025

The trial of Karabakh leaders in Baku has become historic precedent

The trial of the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh in Baku has unique features; there have been no similar trials in world history. International trust in this court has been undermined, but the trial is largely designed for a domestic audience, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" noted.

However, user Shah Mirza believes that Arayik Harutyunyan was more of an executor than a leader.

"In fact, Arayik Harutyunyan should be tried not as a leader, but as an executor. Because from the beginning of the conflict until its end, Azerbaijan and Armenia were at the negotiating table. And if Arayik Harutyunyan says today that he knows nothing about these issues, he is absolutely right," the social media user wrote.

Some users believe that the Armenian authorities “have occupied Azerbaijani lands for decades.”

They could have prevented mass atrocities against Azerbaijani citizens.

“Now let Arayik Harutyunyan answer for his crime. There’s no point in hoping for some kind of ‘miracle.’ Anyone who has the slightest reason to violate the state border of another state, to fuel nationalist grievances, must answer for it before the law,” social media user Əlövsət Camallı expressed his point of view.

“All 100,000 citizens of Armenia voluntarily, en masse, and forever left the territory of Azerbaijan in September 2023! There is no place left for them next to us. A well-deserved and expected end to the adventure of Armenian lovers of foreign lands.” "Azerbaijan and Armenia have buried the hatchet forever, each on their own soil!" wroteMurvət Xan Əli.

Overall, judging by the comments, Azerbaijani users believe that the trial in Baku is fair and humane, and that those responsible should be punished for their actions.

“The accused were in the leadership of the unrecognized entity. Therefore, they are responsible for all the atrocities committed by their “lower” militants!! They were in the power of this separatist entity and could have prevented mass atrocities against Azerbaijani citizens, but judging by the results of their time in power, they turned a blind eye to the bloody crimes of their militants!” wrote Inaz Bakili.

We understand that this is not a trial, it is a theater of the absurd.

In turn, Armenian users in the comments continue to perceive the trial in Baku as a farce, considering the charges against the Karabakh leaders fabricated.

“There is no doubt that everything was fabricated, like everything else. The criminal is Aliyev and his entourage,” says Liliya Mesropyan.

“This isn't a trial, it's a parody of justice. And the commentators here expressing support for this absurdity are simply some kind of gathering of God knows who,” wrote a user named Ar Og.

“We understand that this isn't a trial, it's a theater of the absurd,” said Ali.

Armenian users also emphasize that their representatives defended their homeland and acted on orders in wartime conditions, and therefore do not consider themselves guilty. Many commentators express dissatisfaction that the Armenian victims of the conflict are being ignored, and only Armenian leaders are being portrayed as guilty.

"You'll soon be held accountable for your war crimes! Don't even doubt it," says Aram Torosyan.