BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The defendant Arayik Harutyunyan, answering questions of prosecutors during trial which continued at the Baku Military Court on June 23, confirmed that people brought from Syria and Lebanon were illegally settled in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
He added that some of the Armenian citizens living in the regions bordering Azerbaijan - Gorus and Gafan regions of Armenia - came to the then-occupied Zangilan, Gubadli, and Lachin regions and settled there illegally.
"Because there were great opportunities to operate, especially in the agricultural sector, in those territories. The resettled people were mainly engaged in agricultural work. You know the geography of the Syunik region. There are no extensive opportunities to engage in agriculture there. In Zangilan, Gubadli, and Lachin regions, there were more opportunities in this area," he reminded.
Harutyunyan said that, compared to those coming from other countries for illegal settlement, those coming from Armenia were not specially encouraged.
"We did not hinder them. They themselves chose where to live and what to do," he explained.
He confirmed that people of Armenian nationality were subsequently illegally settled in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions.
"This happened later. There were no Armenians living in the Lachin region before. As far as I know, the situation was the same in the Kalbajar region," the defendant added.
The court hearing of citizens of Armenia accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and waging of a war of aggression, genocide, violation of the laws and regulations of war, as well as terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression will continue on June 30.
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