Azerbaijan Begins Sham Trial of Armenian Reservist Gagik Voskanyan Abducted by Azerbaijani Forces

The latest episode in the ongoing Armenophobia in Azerbaijan unfolds as Gagik Voskanyan, an Armenian reservist, finds himself slated for trial in Azerbaijan. The situation stems from a series of events starting on August 16, when Voskanyan, a participant in training camps and a reservist, reportedly got lost from his combat position.

Amidst the confusion surrounding Voskanyan's departure, the Azerbaijani side declared his capture. However, allegations of illegal detention surfaced when, on August 18, Voskanyan was reportedly held in Azerbaijani custody without proper legal procedures.

Azerbaijan, following a pattern observed previously, initiated a criminal case against Voskanyan, labeling him, along with other Armenian captives, with various charges. Describing Voskanyan as a "saboteur," Azerbaijani media intensified their accusations against him.

As per reports, the "investigation" concerning Voskanyan has been concluded, and the case materials have been forwarded to the Ganja city court, highlighting the seriousness of the false charges leveled against him.

However, the narrative presented by Azerbaijan contradicts the information provided by the Armenian Ministry of Defense. The latter released a video depicting a group of Azerbaijani Armed Forces approaching Voskanyan, engaging in dialogue, kidnapping him, and subsequently transporting him by car to an undisclosed location. This video contradicts Azerbaijan's claims that the Armenian Armed Forces attempted infiltration in the eastern border zone and were thwarted by Azerbaijani forces.

In response to Azerbaijan’s false narratives, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has emphasized that the video footage exposes the falsehoods propagated by Azerbaijan.