News - Azerbaijan files charges against Davit Babayan on over 20 counts

Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan issued a statement in connection with fabricated charges against former Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan. According to this statement, the number of charges filed against David Babayan exceeds 20.“The investigation established that David Klimovich Babayan, born in 1973 in [Stepanakert] Khankendi, during the period from 2013 to 2023, held positions as the "Deputy Chief of Staff of the President's Office, Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Presidential Advisor on Special Affairs" within a separatist structure. He was involved in activities as part of a criminal group, in collaboration with "top officials," both during the 44-day Patriotic War and during anti-terrorism measures aimed at restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of the population. His activities included inciting national enmity and hatred and coordinating the actions of terrorist groups.He also participated in crimes related to the shelling of unprotected areas of the city of Ganja on October 17, 2020, using ballistic missiles, where the civilian population resided, resulting in the killing of numerous civilians, and committing acts of terrorism based on national enmity and hatred.On October 29, 2020, David Babayan was charged with offenses under articles 100.1, 100.2, 32.3, 114.1, 32.3, 116.0.1, 32.3, 116.0.6, 32.3, 116.0.7, 32.3, 116.0.8, 32.3, 116. 0. 9, 32.3, 116.0.10, 117.2, 32.3,214.2.1, 32.3,214.2.3, 32.3,214.2.4, 283.2.1, 283.2.3 and other articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, a preventive measure was chosen against him by a court decision in the form of arrest, and he was placed on the international wanted list.On September 29 of this year, D. Babayan was detained by law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan, transferred to the investigative authorities and charged under these articles,” the statement says.Earlier, Azerbaijani media reported that David Babayan was arrested for a period of four months.