Civil Contract voices concern over Azerbaijan trials of ex-Karabakh officials

A senior lawmaker from the ruling Civil Contract Party has expressed concern over the prison terms sought by Azerbaijani prosecutors in the trial of former Karabakh officials and other detainees in Baku.

Member of Parliament Artur Hovhannisyan, Secretary of the Civil Contract faction in parliament, was asked at a press briefing to comment on the matter in the context of the ongoing peace process.

Hovhannisyan said that the trial is "very concerning."

“We have stated and expressed deep concerns regarding the trial taking place in Baku. And yes, I must echo the Prime Minister in noting that the current atmosphere of peace should create favorable conditions for us to resolve the issue of returning all our compatriots held in Azerbaijan to their homes,” he said, referring to PM Pashinyan’s earlier statement.

Hovhannisyan reiterated that daily efforts are being made to secure the release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku.

“We hope that the upcoming peace processes will facilitate developments and create an environment in which all our compatriots can return,” the MP added.

Azerbaijani prosecutors have requested prison terms ranging from 16 years to life imprisonment for the ex-leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh on many charges, including terrorism. Three former presidents are among the 23 prisoners captured by Azerbaijan after it militarily took over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. Some experts have branded the subsequent trials as “sham trials.”

According to Azerbaijani media reports, prosecutors have asked the court in Baku to sentence former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former army chief Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy army chief Davit Manukyan, former Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs David Babayan to life imprisonment. Prosecutors seek 20-year sentences for ex-presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as the law prohibits life sentences for defendants aged 65 or above.

The other prisoners face prison terms ranging from 16 to 20 years.

Former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan’s trial is being held separately.