Azerbaijan’s illegitimate, retaliatory, politically driven trial of former Artsakh political and military leaders has escalated sharply, as prosecutors in Baku demand life sentences and long prison terms for 23 Armenian detainees held since the country’s 2023 military assault and occupation of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The staged and punitive proceedings, which began in January, are unfolding against the backdrop of the forced displacement of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh.
At the Baku Military Court, prosecutors requested life imprisonment for former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan (2020–2023), former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, and former foreign minister and presidential advisor Davit Babayan.
Azerbaijan’s state-run news agency Azertac reported that former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan (2007–2020) and Bako Sahakyan (1997–2007), along with civilian Madat Babayan, may face 20-year terms, as Azerbaijani law prohibits issuing life sentences to defendants aged 65 and above. All three are over 65.
Additional sentences requested by prosecutors include 20 years for Melikset Pashayan; 19 years for Garik Martirosyan; 18 years for Davit Alaverdyan; 17 years for Levon Balayan; and 16 years for Vasily Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, and Gurgen Stepanyan. The next court hearing is scheduled for November 27.
Defendants by category include:
Former Presidents:
• Arayik Harutyunyan (life)
• Arkadi Ghukasyan (20 years)
• Bako Sahakyan (20 years)
Former Ministers & High Officials:
• Davit Ishkhanyan (life)
• Davit Babayan (life)
Military Officials:
• Levon Mnatsakanyan (life)
• Davit Manukyan (life)
Civilians:
• Madat Babayan (20 years)
• Melikset Pashayan (20 years)
• Garik Martirosyan (19 years)
• Davit Alaverdyan (18 years)
• Levon Balayan (17 years)
• Vasili Beglaryan (16 years)
• Gurgen Stepanyan (16 years)
• Erik Ghazaryan (16 years)
A total of 15 Armenians are currently being forced before the court in this staged case. The trial of former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan is being conducted separately.
Only state-controlled Azerbaijani media outlets have access to the kangaroo-court proceedings, making it impossible to independently verify statements attributed to the defendants. Azerbaijani forces captured 16 Armenians during the 2023 assault on Artsakh, while seven others taken prisoner during the 2020 war and subsequent blockade have already been convicted and sentenced. In total, Azerbaijan acknowledges holding 23 Armenian detainees, including eight former senior Artsakh political and military officials.
The defendants, detained during the 2023 assault or captured earlier during the blockade and previous clashes, are accused of fabricated and politically motivated charges including terrorism, genocide, starting and conducting war, violent seizure of power, plunder, slavery, and other war-related offenses. Former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan faces dozens of charges, several of which carry the possibility of life imprisonment.
Human rights organizations in Armenia and abroad have condemned the staged process as an illegitimate “sham trial” conducted without due process. Baku denies the accusations despite blocking independent oversight and access, further deepening international concern.
In a related development, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has extended Azerbaijan’s deadline for providing detailed information on the Armenian detainees. Azerbaijan was expected to submit full information on all 23 individuals, including their physical and mental health, by November 4 but failed to do so. On November 7, the ECHR extended the deadline to November 18. Armenia’s Office of the Representative for International Legal Affairs said it currently has no access to the requested data and noted that some information may remain confidential once submitted.
The Armenian detainees have been held incommunicado for nearly four months, with Azerbaijan preventing any independent assessment of their detention conditions. No official or international information exists regarding their treatment.
Opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of the Pativ Unem faction, said on Friday that the proceedings are clearly intended to generate political leverage against Armenia. He said, “For Azerbaijan, peace means a sham trial that produces kompromat against Armenia, ready to be used for provocation, coercion, or as a pretext for breaking commitments.
Abrahamyan also criticized the Armenian government, arguing that its statements on Artsakh increasingly align with Azerbaijani positions and could weaken Armenia’s negotiating posture.
Members of the ruling Civil Contract Party expressed deep concern over the requested sentences but stressed the need for continued diplomatic engagement.
Artur Hovhannisyan, Secretary of the Civil Contract faction, called the developments “very concerning” and reaffirmed that Armenia is working “daily” to secure the return of its citizens held in Baku.
“The current atmosphere of peace should create favorable conditions to resolve the issue of returning all our compatriots from Azerbaijan,” he said, echoing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Official Yerevan has not commented on the kangaroo-court proceedings themselves, as Armenian officials continue to focus on securing the release of the illegally detained citizens. Speaking at a press briefing earlier this week, Prime Minister Pashinyan said his administration is conducting daily efforts on the detainee issue but emphasized that progress depends on broader improvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.
“The more favorable the environment between Armenia and Azerbaijan becomes, the easier it will be to resolve this issue,” Pashinyan said. “This is a living process. If we insisted on resolving all issues before signing a peace agreement, we would never have reached this stage.”
He said the government is pursuing “flexible approaches” aimed at protecting Armenia’s national interests throughout the peace process.
