Azerbaijan has announced lengthy and life sentences for the leaders of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Today, the Baku Military Court announced the sentences for members of the former leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, the unrecognized republic that came under Azerbaijani control. In Baku, the defendants are referred to as "Armenian separatists" and were charged with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, terrorist financing, and more.

According to the court's decision, former President of Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan, Deputy Commander of the Defense Army David Manukyan, former Speaker of Parliament David Ishkhanyan, and former Foreign Minister David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. In addition, other former presidents, Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, received 20-year prison sentences.

Lawyers for the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh claimed the cases were unfounded and politically motivated. They demanded acquittals for their clients.

A total of 15 people are in the dock. Among them is the former state minister of Karabakh, former Russian citizen, and billionaire Ruben Vardanyan, whose case is being heard separately.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan conducted a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, after which the authorities of the unrecognized republic announced the dissolution of its state institutions.

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