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An Armenian man who is said to have remained in Karabakh after Azerbaijan's takeover in 2023 has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of terrorism, according to Azerbaijani media reports.
In mid-September 2025, Azerbaijani media reported that an Armenian man, identified as Karen Avanesyan, was arrested in Karabakh. He was allegedly attempting to approach a high-profile event while carrying a rifle, leading to a firefight with police officers, according to the unconfirmed reports.
Avanesyan was subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison for terrorism and the illegal carrying of firearms in what appeared to be another sham verdict following the proceedings against the 23 Armenian captives.
After Azerbaijan’s takeover of Karabakh during its 2023 offensive, the Armenian population—over 100,000 people—fled to Armenia seeking refuge. According to unconfirmed reports from Azerbaijani media, only a few Armenians remained behind. Avanesyan is said to be one of them.