The Baku Military Court has revealed new documents detailing the involvement of foreign mercenaries in military operations alongside Armenian armed forces during the 44-day war, Azernews reports.

Excerpts from classified letters submitted by various Azerbaijani state agencies were presented in court as part of the criminal case against citizens of Armenia accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A document dated October 24, 2020, stated that Armenia undertook active efforts to recruit foreign nationals into its armed forces in the then-occupied territories of Azerbaijan to compensate for battlefield losses. Armenian authorities and diaspora organizations in several countries reportedly called on members of the Armenian community to join the fighting, while special campaigns were launched to facilitate travel and mobilization.

As a result, foreign fighters from France, the United States, Syria, Russia, and other countries participated in combat operations on Azerbaijani territory. Groups such as“VoMA” - a military training center in Yerevan - as well as the ASALA terrorist organization and other extremist entities, were also involved.

One of the disclosed documents identified French citizen Arthur Hovhannisyan from Marseille, who took part in the fighting in Hadrut and Jabrayil alongside Armenian forces in 2020. Another document revealed that Gilbert Minasyan, a member of ASALA, led a group of 15 armed individuals engaged in criminal activities in Azerbaijani territories.

Further evidence confirmed that, apart from the Armenian army, mercenaries from countries including Syria, Russia, Spain, Canada, France, Greece, Lebanon, and several states in the Middle East and Latin America fought against Azerbaijani forces. Initially brought in to train Armenian troops in reconnaissance, sabotage, and terrorist tactics, these mercenaries were later deployed directly to the front lines.

The trial continues for Armenian citizens accused of a wide range of grave offenses - including crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, the financing of terrorism, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war - committed during Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.

MENAFN09102025000195011045ID1110172693