Bako Sahakyan, former president of Artsakh currently imprisoned in Baku on politically motivated charges, confirmed in Azerbaijan’s military court on June 20 that he had agreed to participate in the investigative commission formed by Armenia’s National Assembly to examine the April 2016 war.

Responding to a prosecutor’s question, Sahakyan said he voluntarily answered the commission’s questions. The panel was led by Andranik Kocharyan, chair of Armenia’s parliamentary standing committee on defense and security, according to Minval.az .

“At the session, both military personnel and civilians answered various questions. The commission invited me because they couldn’t compel me to appear,” Sahakyan said.

He stated that he provided comprehensive and detailed answers during the hearing.

Sahakyan was asked about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s past visit to military units to inspect soldiers’ living conditions.

On the question of foreign fighters’ involvement, Sahakyan said they were not mercenaries but ethnic Armenians from different countries.

When asked about demining operations, Sahakyan reportedly responded that he had no obligation to be informed either before or after such activities.

He also stated that Karabakh Telecom was founded through significant investment from a Lebanese-Armenian businessman.

Regarding the 2020 war, Sahakyan noted he had participated in various ceasefire negotiations. “I tried to be helpful within my capacity. During these talks, I also met with Arayik Harutyunyan,” he said.

The next court session is scheduled for June 21.

In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the mass ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s Armenian population, Azerbaijan captured former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, and several other former officials including Ruben Vardanyan and Davit Babayan. The politically charged accusations against them could result in life imprisonment. Their trial began on January 17 in Baku.