On February 5, a military court in Baku delivered verdicts against former members of the Armenian administration of Nagorno-Karabakh, sentencing them to lengthy prison terms, including life imprisonment for several key figures. The case concerns 13 former officials and military figures of the unrecognized entity who were detained after Azerbaijan re-established full control over the region in 2023. The court found them guilty on a broad range of serious charges, including war crimes, terrorism, attempts to seize power by force, and waging an aggressive war.

According to the investigation, the defendants were held responsible for actions committed during the many years of conflict over Karabakh. Five individuals, including former leader of the Karabakh Armenians Arayik Harutyunyan, received life sentences, while the others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years. Two former leaders who, due to their age, could not be sentenced to life imprisonment were each given 20-year terms.

The Azerbaijani authorities portray the verdicts as an important step toward restoring justice and the rule of law after decades of conflict. However, the proceedings have already drawn criticism from human rights organizations and a number of international observers, who point to the closed nature of the trial, its political context, and doubts about compliance with standards of fair judicial process. Critics note that such harsh sentences, handed down amid ongoing tensions between Baku and Yerevan, may not contribute to long-term reconciliation and could instead deepen mutual distrust between the sides.

The broader context of the case remains highly sensitive. Following the 2023 military operation, almost the entire Armenian population of Karabakh left the region, and the trials of former Karabakh leaders have become one of the most high-profile and politically charged episodes of the post-conflict period.

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06.02.2026 05:55