Trial of former Republic of Artsakh leaders
| Trial of former Republic of Artsakh leaders | |
|---|---|
| Court | Baku Judicial Complex, Baku |
| Started | 17 January 2025 |
| Decided | 5 February 2026 |
| Court membership | |
| Judges sitting |
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The trial of several former members of the military-political leadership of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, as well as some Artsakhi servicemen and civilians, began on 17 January 2025, in the Baku Military Court. The hearings were being held in the cases of 16 people, including former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan and former acting president Davit Ishkhanyan.
The individuals were arrested after Azerbaijan regained control over the entire territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 following a military offensive. While attempting to flee to Armenia during Azerbaijan's expulsion of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, several of the leaders were arrested and detained by authorities at the military checkpoint on the Lachin corridor. The defendants were charged under more than 20 articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including "waging an aggressive war," "extermination of the population," and "violent seizure of power" in Nagorno-Karabakh. The case of former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused of "financing terrorism," creating "illegal armed groups," and "illegally crossing the border of Azerbaijan," was separated into distinct legal proceedings.
The court hearings were held behind closed doors in a purpose-built courtroom with information disseminated only by the Azerbaijani state-run news agency AZERTAC. International observers and foreign media were denied access to the hearings. Due to the closed nature of the trial, it is not possible to verify many details of the trial. The defendants were represented exclusively by Azerbaijani lawyers.
Human rights groups, European political institutions, others have criticized the fairness of the trial, warning of potential human rights violations and that the defendants could be subjected to torture in custody. The trial itself has been characterized as politically motivated.
On 5 February 2026, the court sentenced the defendants, finding them all guilty. Arayik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan were sentenced to life imprisonment.