The day before, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan detained the ex-president of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan. He was charged under Art. 100 (planning and carrying out an aggressive war), art. 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), art. 117 (giving illegal orders during armed conflicts), Art. 120 (premeditated murder), Art. 214 (terrorism), art. 214-1 (financing of terrorism), art. 214-3 (conducting exercises for the purpose of terrorism), Art. 218 (organization of a criminal community), Art. 279 (creation of illegal armed groups).

According to the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan, Harutyunyan was involved in organizing the “aggressive war”, was involved in the recruitment, training and financing of mercenaries, and their participation in the armed conflict. Harutyunyan is also charged with authorizing the launch of ballistic missiles and other ammunition into residential areas and civilian structures in the city of Ganja and settlements in the Barda region. These actions resulted in numerous civilian casualties.