A military court in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has issued a verdict against former leaders and a number of officials of Nagorno-Karabakh (Arsax). According to local media, the former "president" of the unrecognized organization, Arayik Arutyunyan, and several other high-ranking officials were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Sources note that among those sentenced to life imprisonment are Levon Mnatsakanyan (Army Commander), David Manukyan (Deputy Army Commander), David Ishkhanyan (Parliament Speaker), and David Babayan (Minister of Foreign Affairs). During the trial, they were charged with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, episodes of terrorism, as well as a number of other serious charges.
At the same time, there were reports that two other former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkady Gukasyan and Bako Saakyan, were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Also sentenced were Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan (from 19 years), Garik Martirosyan (18 years), David Alaverdyan (16 years), Vasily Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Kazaryan (from 15 years).
It is noteworthy that some sources say that the case of Ruben Vardanyan is being considered separately.
In short, the verdict will undoubtedly intensify the major political and legal disputes surrounding the region. Therefore, this topic will remain on the agenda in the coming days.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
