AZERBAIJAN was accused of war crimes today after video footage appeared to show the beheading of an elderly Armenian civilian pinned down by soldiers wearing Azeri uniforms.

It showed a group of soldiers wearing what is described as “the distinctive earless helmet of Azerbaijani special forces” restraining an elderly man. He is heard pleading for his life before his throat is slit.

According to the Zartonk Media organisation, the video was uploaded to a Telegram messaging-service channel belonging to Azeri soldiers on Monday.