Artsakh Court Upholds Azeri Prisoners’ Sentences

Shahbaz Quliyev (right) and Dilgam Askerov (third from left), Azerbaijani men charged by Karabakh’s authorities with murder of a teenager, stand trial in Stepanakert. Oct. 27, 2014. (Photo: RFE/RL)

STEPANAKERT—The Court of Appeals of the Artsakh Republic today upheld the December 29th verdict of the First Instance Court on Azerbaijani saboteurs Shahbaz Guliyev and Diloham Askerov, who were charged with trespassing into Artsakh territory, carrying weaponry, murdering a teenager and a military serviceman, and injuring one woman.

The culprits were informed about their right to appeal the verdict at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Artsakh.

The Azeri saboteurs crossed the Artsakh border in July, 2014. The third commando, Hasan Hasanov, was killed, and his body was handed over to Baku.

The actions of the subversive group left an underage resident of Karvachar region and a soldier killed and a woman wounded.

The First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction sentenced Dilham Askerov to life imprisonment and Shahbaz Guliyev to 22 years in prison.