Former commander of separatist forces in Karabakh accused of surrendering city of Shusha

Baku/30.08.22/Turan: The Investigative Committee of Armenia announced on the evening of August 30 the reason for the detention of the former commander of the armed forces of the Karabakh separatists, General Mikael Arzumanyan.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia believes that General Arzumanyan from October 30 to November 9, 2020, during the large-scale offensive of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, showed negligence in organizing the defense of the city of Shusha. He did not properly fulfill his official duties, which led to the capture of the city by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

According to the accusations, "Arzumanyan did not ensure the effective use of troops and the fulfillment of the assigned tasks, did not show firmness and decisiveness in the implementation of the decisions made, did not respond promptly and flexibly to changes in the situation, did not provide operational and full-fledged command."

“Besides, in his report dated November 6, Arzumanyan assured that the situation in Shusha was under control, while on November 5 the armed groups of the enemy had already made their way into the city.”

Only on November 5, one rifle battalion was deployed at the intersection of Shusha-Dashalty and Isa Bulagy. However, at that time Dashalti was already occupied by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. “As a result, the Armenian forces were surrounded and forced to go on the defensive, suffering heavy losses.”

Two battalions of 250 people each from October 15, 2020, and another 150 people from October 20, i.e. only 650 soldiers were never involved in the defense of the city. At the same time, the principle of centralized command and control of troops was violated.

On August 30, 2022, Mikael Arzumanyan was charged with military service negligence, which led to grave consequences, and he was arrested. On this charge, Arzumanyan faces a lengthy prison sentence.

It should be noted that the arrest of Arzumanyan caused discontent in Karabakh.  Thus separatist leader Arayik Harutyunyan, through his spokeperson, stated that Arzumanyan was not guilty and that he was the commander of the troops for only 12 days and was not responsible for the defeat in the war.

The opposition in Yerevan also condemned the arrest of the general, accusing Prime Minister Pashinyan of wanting to blame the military for his own mistakes.-02D-