Former Karabakh leaders imprisoned in Azerbaijan: Prosecutors seek life sentences for five
Prosecutors in Azerbaijan announced on Thursday that they are seeking life sentences for five former leaders and officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani forces entered Karabakh during the 2023 war, leading 100,000 Armenians living in the region to flee to Armenia.
As the Armenian population sought refuge in Armenia, Azerbaijan detained and imprisoned the former and then-current political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Fifteen former government and military officials are being tried on charges of war crimes, terrorism, and attempting to forcefully seize power.
According to APA, a pro-government media outlet in Azerbaijan, prosecutors on Thursday requested life sentences for former President Arayik Harutyunyan, former presidential advisor Davit Babayan, former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, military commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and deputy commander Davit Manukyan.
For former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as another detainee, Madat Babayan, the prosecution requested 20-year sentences due to their being over 65 years old.
The remaining defendants face prison terms ranging from 16 to 19 years.
The next hearing will take place at the end of November.
A separate trial is underway for former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister and Russian businessman Ruben Vardanyan. Vardanyan faces more than 40 charges, including financing terrorism and forming armed groups.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed concern over the demand for life sentences for the imprisoned political figures, arguing that it harms the broader peace process between the two countries.
The trials have been conducted behind closed doors, and media reports have surfaced alleging psychological pressure and ill-treatment of the detainees. Azerbaijani officials claim that all proceedings comply with the law.
The trials are unfolding against the backdrop of what appears to be an intensifying peace negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In late October, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted progress made toward peace but noted that many humanitarian and political issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning the fate of Armenian detainees held in Baku.
“When we speak about institutionalizing peace, we must acknowledge that complex and unresolved issues still exist, and the return of detainees is one of them,” Mirzoyan said. He described this matter as “a major obstacle” to lasting reconciliation and “an expression of the distrust and hostility that has shaped relations for decades.”
The International Court of Justice is currently hearing opposing cases in which Armenia and Azerbaijan accuse each other of ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination in Nagorno-Karabakh.
(DW, OC Media)
