The conversations with Azerbaijan citizens, returned from the Armenian captivity, in the State Commission on prisoners of war, hostages and missings revealed that vandalism acts were committed by Armenians in the occupied Nagorny Karabakh and other adjacent regions, the houses were looted and burned, historical monuments, particularly cemeteries were destroyed. Labor of prisoners of war and hostages was used in looting of the occupied Azerbaijan regions, as well as destroying of houses, monuments, gravestones.
The fact of gravestone destroying in the Muslim cemeteries was confirmed in the explanation, addressed by Mammadov Vugar Yavar oglu, born in 1974 and taken captive in 1994-1996, to the State Commission on 02.09.2002. He writes: “They made us to pull down gravestones in the Muslim cemeteries in Shusha, conveyed them into other places and sold. All Muslim cemeteries of Shusha are destroyed. Armenians intended to destroy Shusha.”
The application, addressed by Guliyev Panah Zakir oglu, taken captive in Chaytumas village, Gubadli, in July of 1993, to the State Commission on 19.07.2001, said that he was made to participate in puling down of construction materials in Aghdam town and black marble stones in the cemeteries along with other 7 prisoners of war and hostages.
The reference, drawn up during the conversation with Bagirov Sahib Garib oglu, born in 1975 and taken captive in 1995-1996s, on 14.12.2001, noted that during staying in the Shusha prison they were driven to the Agdam region and made to pull down stones of village houses to build house for Armenian militant Karo by name in Khankandi. S.Baghirov told that Armenians made them to pull down black marble stones in cemeteries and then sold them to Iran to buy potato instead of it. According to him prisoners of war were made to build house for Samvel Babayan in Shusha as well.
Rasul Nemat oglu Ramazanov, been in captivity in the regions Shusha, Khankandi and Khodjavand in 1993-1995s, notes in his explanation of 474/DK, addressed to the State Commission: “I witnessed puling down of valuable gravestones, ancient mausoleums of the Azerbaijan cemeteries during my captivity in Shusha. Besides, I saw destroying of ancient mosque as well. These materials were directly conveyed to Armenia by automobiles with Yerevan number plates. I also saw pulling down and conveying of the buildings in the Aghdam region along with aforesaid.”
Kazimov Karim Avaz oglu, been in the Armenian captivity in 1993-1996s, wrote in his explanation of 474/DK, received by the State Commission on 30.06.2003, that he was made to work in pulling down of the valuable marble coverings in the mausoleum Molla Panah Vagif, gravestones of Ibrahim Khan, marbles on the floor of the mosque near the Shusha bath-house and headstones in the Shusha cemeteries. K.Kazimov said that Armenians settled in the museum house of Bulbul, pulled down his bust and marred up its surface. At the same time the bust of U.Hadjibayov was pulled down, thrown to the Automobile Park and humiliated. K.Kazimov noted that Iranians carried out construction works in the mosque near the market in Shusha and carved inscription in Persian on the front wall of the mosque.
According to the explanation of 220, written by Abdullayev Rovshan Abdulrahman oglu, born in 1973 and taken captive in 1993, on 09.04.2003, he worked in pulling down of the Azerbaijan cemeteries in Shusha along with other prisoners of war. R.Abdullayev informed that the cemeteries were completely destroyed and marble stones driven away.
Mammadov Valhad Adil oglu, been in the Armenian captivity in 1993-1996s, confirmed in his explanation of 474/DK on 30.06.2003 that prisoners of war participated in pulling down of historical monuments, belonged to Azerbaijanis. He wrote that the floor of the Shusha mosque was destroyed; shot bust of Bulbul was thrown to the court of the museum, marble flags around M.P.Vagif’s statue were pulled down and Muslim cemeteries were demolished.
The explanation of 278, written by Vediyev Jamal Soltan oglu, born in 1958 and been in the Armenian captivity in 1993-1996s, on 01.03.2003 said: “We built a five-stored residential construction and a farm in Mismina village. We took construction materials from the house of the people left their native lands. During my detention in the Shusha prison I was in the cementers Shukuru, Aghagulu, Shusha and pulled down headstones; marble stones were taken away, others – thrown out.”
Jafarov Mubariz Gara oglu, taken captive in 1993, noted in the explanation of 291 on 05.05.2003 that he witnessed destroying of headstones of the Shusha cemetery, houses and sport centers.
Abdullayev Yashar Abdali oglu, been in the Armenian captivity in 1989-1995s, confirmed in his explanation of 474/DK on 30.06.2003 aforesaid facts and added that Armenians replaced the rails by signs of cross form along the roads in Shusha.
Ganiyev Ariz Maharram oglu, taken captive in 1994, wrote in his explanation of 474 to the State Commission on 30.06.2003 that he worked in pulling down of gravestones of the Shusha cemeteries along with other prisoners of war and these stones were used in setting up of monument to Andranik in Shusha.
Former hostage Sariyev Ali Zohrab oglu noted in his explanation of 474 on 30.062003 that he also worked in the cemeteries in Aghdam and Shusha as other prisoners of war and hostages.
Former hostage Abbasov Natig Alish oglu wrote in the explanation of 474 on 30.06.2003 that gravestones, pulled down from the cemetery in the center of the Fuzuli region, were loaded on cars.
Former prisoner of war Gafarov Rauf Shamsaddin noted in his explanation of 295 on 05.052003 that prisoners of war were made to built hen and pig farms, forage stores, spring and basin in the Mismina village. R.Gafarov, mentioning that construction materials and marbles were brought from the Fuzuli region and prisoners of war participated in these works, writes: “When we were driven to Fuzuli to pull down houses we did not see any marble in the cemetery. Majority of graves was destroyed.”
Radjabov Nail Lamik oglu, been in the Armenian captivity in 1998-2000s and held in the Shusha prison, told in the explanation of 474/DK on 30.06.2003 that during his detention in the town he witnessed destroying and burning of our historical monuments by Armenians. N.Radjabov, noting that the palace of Vagif, conservatory and Shusha bath-house were completely destroyed, wrote that valuable objects and art works were loaded on cars by Armenians and taken to Armenia. He also underlined that the Shusha cemetery was destroyed and head stones, pulled down from there, were placed in front of the residence of the Karabakh regime “leaders”.
According to the explanation of 474/DK, written by Ismayilov Yunus Sudja oglu, held in the Armenian captivity in 1993-1996s, on 30.06.2003, he witnessed destroying of historical monuments by Armenians in Shusha. Y.Ismayilov wrote that M.P.Vagif’s mausoleum, town mosque and other monuments were pulled down, valuable objects of the museum house of U.Hadjibayov were taken to Armenia and this building was used as dwelling house.
Idris Usubali oglu Mirzayev, been in the Armenian captivity in 1994-1996s, mentioned in the explanation of 474/DK that he saw Armenian soldiers and bearded men destroying the ancient mosque with 2 cupolas in Shusha. He confirmed usage of hostages and captives in looting and conveyance of dwelling houses, public buildings, schools and other building in the occupied territories. According to I.Mirzayev, Armenians looted the houses in Shusha, loaded the implements on cars and sent them to Armenia.
Mehdiyev Nazim Hafiz oglu, born 1976 and been in captivity in 1996-1997s, noted in the explanation of 299 on 06.05.2003 that during his detention in the Shusha prison the gravestones in the cemetery near the prison were demolished.
According to the explanation of 22.11.202, addressed by Mammadov Azar Zabit oglu, born in 1966, to the State Commission, they were made by Armenians to destroy houses in Shusha.
Alishanov Elmaddin Orudjali oglu, been in Armenian captivity in 1994-1995s, wrote in the explanation of 109 on 03.30.2002: “When I was in captivity Armenians of high rank made prisoners of war to work in pulling down and conveying of occupied regions, particularly Aghdam and Fuzuli. Then these special materials were sold to Iranians. Iranians loaded materials on their cars and drove away. Armenians cut down forests and took the wood to Armenia.”
According to the proper reference, prisoner of war Mammadov Anar Zakir oglu, born in 1973, told in the conversation, conducted on 19.07.2002, that he and other prisoners of war were made to pull down newly built houses in Aghdam and load construction materials, sawn stones on cars.
Bayramov Aghagul Alahmad oglu, taken captive in the Fuzuli region, mentioned in the explanation of 19.06.2001 that during his detention in Khankandi he was used to pulling down of houses in Aghdam and their conveying to Khankandi.
The reference, received by the State Commission on 28.02.1994 in connection with conversation, conducted with Korotkov Alexander Diyanovich and Korotkov Gennadiy Alexandrovich, told that during occupation of Aghdam Armenians fired on the houses as they did not left the town. Armenians broke into the house of Korotkov and misappropriated products from the fridge, looted the neighbor houses and made sick Gennadiy to load them on cars.
The reference, drawn up concerning the conversation with resident of Aghdam town Shevelyov Vladimir Ivanovich, born in 1926, on 04.05.1994, told that he witnessed burning of his and his neighbors’ houses on 22.07.1993.
Prisoner of war Mammadov Anar Zakir oglu, born in 1973, said the prisoners of war were made to gather sawn stones of pulled down house in Aghdam and load them on the automobile “Kamaz” with number plate 29-95 NKA.
The reference, received by the State Commission on 29.12.1999 in connection with the conversation, conducted with Murshudov Sadraddin Aslan oglu, born in 1978 and been in the Armenian captivity in 1997-1999s, noted that during his detention in Khankandi prison he and Safaraliyev Afgan Khanlar oglu were daily taken to Khodjali and Aghdam to load construction materials on cars, while prisoner of war Karimov Karim Avaz oglu, born in 1974, and other comrades – frequently.
The fact concerning destroying of Aghdam region was also confirmed in the reference, drawn up on 28.09.1994 in connection with the conversation, conducted with Mahmudov Mohlat Nariman oglu, born in 1967 and taken captive during Armenians’ attack to Aghdam. According to M.Mahmudov, held in Khankandi military unit, labor of the prisoners of war was used in the in hacking and conveying of marble in the Gasimli quarry, Aghdam region, carrying of firewood, flour etc. According to his observation, none of buildings remained in Aghdam town except the mosque.
The fact concerning the usage of the prisoners of war and hostages in pulling down and looting of houses in the occupied territories was also confirmed by Aghdam resident Rzayev Balish Nabi oglu (the reference of 28.06.2002), born in 1921, prisoner of war Huseynov Javid Agha oglu (the reference of 14.07.1995), born in 1975, Aghdam resident Abbas Adil Asad oglu (the reference of 28.06.2002), born in 1958, prisoner of war Bayramov Shirin Alahmad oglu (19.06.2001), hostage Abutalibov Mikayil Musa oglu (the reference 04.01.2003), born in 1955, Kalbadjar resident Mammadov Jalal Ali oglu (the reference of 06.07.20010), born in 1957.
The reference of 11.12.1993, drawn up in connection with interrogation of Yusifov Sharif Gasim oglu, born in 1925 and taken captive during occupation of Gubadli town in August 1993, told that when he was taken from Gubadli to Khodjavand he witnessed burning of cars full of implements along the road, complete burning and destroying of Lachin town, razing of villages to the ground. Sh.Yusifov, taken into the Shusha prison some days later, saw pulling down and conveying of stones in the Muslim cemeteries.
The explanation of 28.06.2002, drawn up concerning conversation with prisoner of war Allahverdiyev Mulkadar Isa oglu, born in 1976, told that he was taken to Kalbadjar along with seven prisoners of war, loaded implements and construction materials on automobiles “Kamaz”, conveyed them to Yansag village, where Armenians settled.
The reference of 08.04.1994, drawn up concerning the conversation with Jafarova Maryam Zinatovna, born in 1930, who taken captive during the occupation of Zangilan town and observed looting of the town for four days, said that she witnessed Armenians’ looting and burning of flats, breaking of windows and doors. M.Jafarova met with 15-20 Armenian children of 14-15 years old and was beaten by them when she tried to gather her implements and left the town.
The reference of 18.02.2002, drawn up concerning the conversation with Ibishov Taleh Madat oglu, born in 1977, told that he witnessed during the occupation of the Lachin region how Armenians looted the houses in the Ashagi Seyidlar village and loaded everything on cars. T.Ibishov saw that their house was burnt.
The fact regarding burning of Lachin region was also confirmed in the reference of 05.06.1995, drawn up in connection with the conversation, conducted with Nagiyev Garay Muzaffar oglu, taken captive in 1992. During the conversation G.Nagiyev told that he saw Armenians burned Goydara village, Lachin region.
Ismayilov Mikayil Sevdimali oglu, born in 1961 in the Vaghaz village, Lachin region, and taken captive in his own house, wrote in his application of 26.07.2001 to the State Commission that Armenians, entering into the village on 24.05.1994, began to burn houses. Armenians, taking M.Ismayilov captive, walked over the occupied villages of Lachin, burned 80-90% of houses in all villages.
According to the reference of 10.01.19995, written in connection with conversation, conducted with Dostuyev Hasan Ganbar oglu, born in 1932 and taken captive during occupation of the Gubadli region in the Yusifbayli village, Armenians took him captive and got him on car “Kamaz”, they drove over the village and burned attractive houses. Then Armenians burned unharmed houses in the Hamzali village.
Rustamov Bahadur Farhad oglu, the resident of Hadjilar village, Lachin region, noted in the explanation of 332 on 16.05.2003 when he went to the village with hope to see his native house in the occupied territory, he saw the house and the cemetery destroyed, the forest cut down.
Khodjali residents Guliyev Yagub Allahverdi oglu (the explanation of 25.10.2001), Nagiyev Huseyn Nehbud oglu, born in 1926, on 26.03.2001, Alakbarova Saida Gurban kizi (the reference, received by the State Commission concerning the conversation with her), born in 1963, noted that they witnessed burning of their houses in Khodjali.
Mammadova Guloysha Bakhtoyar kizi, born in 1956, confirmed these facts and told that Armenians looted the houses when they attacked the village.
The facts regarding pulling down of houses, gathering construction materials, involving prisoners of war and hostages in these works in Aghdam and other occupied Azerbaijan regions were confirmed:
- in the reference of 03.05.1996, received by the State Commission in connection with the conversation, conducted with Aliyev Fikrat Rahman oglu, born in 1968 and taken captive in the Fuzuli region,
- in the reference of 10.09.1994, written concerning the conversation with prisoner of war Allahverdiyev Arzuman Mikayil oglu, born in 1973,
- in the explanation of 27.11.2003, written by prisoner of war Mammadov Gadir Isagul oglu, born in 1963.
The fact, related with burning of the Gubadli region was also reflected in the reference of 20.04.1995, written in connection with the conversation, conducted with Ahmadov Idris Engels oglu, born in 1958. I.Ahmadov confirmed that Gulabird village, Lachin region, was burning when he was taken captive.
The reference, presented to the State Commission on 20.04.1995 in connection with the conversation, conducted with Aliyev Valeh Hasan oglu, born in Lachin in 1943, and Taleh Valeh oglu, born in 1981, said that they saw how Armenians burned neighbor house in the Alchali village, Lachin region, on 15.08.1993. During the conversation it was revealed that commander of military unit in the Edilli village Manvel Grigorian, the former driver and prisoner, made arrangement with solders and mechanism, taken in the occupied zones fell to his share, the rest to share of the soldiers.
