The Baku Military Court has announced verdicts in the criminal case against former leaders of the dismantled separatist regime in Karabakh and several other Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and other serious offenses.
According to the court’s decision, former head of the separatist administration in Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The same sentence was handed down to Levon Mnatsakanyan.
Life imprisonment was also imposed on David Manukyan, who was found guilty of crimes against peace and humanity, preparing and waging an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, as well as the violent seizure and retention of power.
The so-called “parliament speaker” of the dismantled regime, Davit Ishkhanyan, and the former “foreign minister,” Davit Babayan, were also sentenced to life imprisonment.
Former leaders of the separatist entity Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The trial was conducted in an open court session chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev presiding. Gunel Samedova served as the reserve judge. All defendants were provided with interpreters in languages they understood, as well as defense attorneys.
The hearing was attended by the defendants, their legal representatives, several victims and their representatives, and prosecutors supporting the state prosecution. Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers’ Office, participated in the proceedings as a victim representing the Azerbaijani state.
The charges relate to crimes committed during the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including preparing and waging aggressive war, war crimes, and other serious violations.
