Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry: Armenia misleading public regarding arrest of Vagif Khachatryan

Azerbaijan would like to once again remind the Armenian side, which is misleading the public in connection with the arrest of Vagif Khachatryan, who committed a crime against humanity, that there are no restrictions in international humanitarian law that prevent the adoption of appropriate measures against war criminals, reads a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry that came in response to the allegations made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his speech at a government meeting, Report informs.

“This person was arrested in line with the Azerbaijani legislation and international law. The Armenian side should support the case of bringing to justice those responsible for committing crimes against humanity and massacres, including genocide, against Azerbaijanis during the almost 30-year occupation, instead of protecting and covering up their actions,” the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan said.

Vagif Khachatryan, as part of the Armenian military formations, staged a massacre of Azerbaijanis in the Meshali village of the Khojaly district on December 22, 1991.

As many as 25 Azerbaijanis were killed, 14 wounded, and 358 villagers became refugees. Vagif Cherkezovich Khachaturyan is brought to account under Articles 103 (genocide) and 107 (deportation or forced resettlement) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

As part of the criminal case, on July 29, he was detained by the servicemen of the State Border Service at the Lachin border checkpoint of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border while trying to leave for Armenia for treatment through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The court chose a measure of restraint in the form of arrest against Khachatryan.