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Akbar Novruz

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Today, during the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court, Elshad Alishov, a survivor of the Bashlibel village massacre in Azerbaijan’s Kalbajar region, testified about the atrocities committed by Armenian armed forces during the 1993 occupation, Azernews reports.

Alishov recalled the tragic day when he and his family attempted to flee the village following Armenia’s military advance. Accompanied by his mother, sister, younger brother, cousins, and cousin’s daughter-in-law, they tried to escape the region by car through the tunnel road.

"The Armenians had surrounded the entire tunnel. They opened fire on our car while we were passing through it. As a result, my mother was wounded in the leg, the bullet entered my sister's mouth and came out the other side. I carried my mother on my back for 300 meters, but I could not get her or the others out, except for my brother. There is no news of them so far," Alishov told the court.

He also recounted the chaos that followed, stating that he later attempted to flee with their neighbor Yusif.

“Yusif was injured 50-60 meters away from the car. His brother was dead, and his wife and niece were injured,” he added.

The trial forms part of a broader legal process underway in Baku, where citizens of Armenia stand accused of serious crimes committed during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Charges include crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, and the financing of terrorism, along with the forcible seizure and retention of power.

The Bashlibel case is one of the most haunting episodes of Armenia’s military aggression during the First Garabagh War. The trial continues as survivors testify to ensure accountability for the atrocities endured.