Azerbaijan brings new charges against Artsakh leaders

Imprisoned former military and political leaders of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have been handed new charges by Azerbaijani prosecutors.

Azeri Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told reporters on Tuesday that they were also charged with “destruction of historical and cultural monuments” in Artsakh.

“The rights of accused persons are ensured. Each of them has several attorneys and rights to access the materials,” the Azerbaijani media quoted him as saying.

Eight Artsakh leaders were illegally arrested and indicted after Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, causing its population of 120,000 ethnic Armenians to flee their homes.

They were charged with “creation and sustenance of an illegal armed group on Azerbaijani territory, terrorism and acquisition and movement of firearms.”

The Artsakh political prisoners held by Baku include former Presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former presidential advisor David Babayan, last Artsakh parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan, as well as former Artsakh army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and former deputy commander David Manukyan.