Artsakh Parliament: Sentences to the NKR military-political leadership are aimed at discrediting the Armenian struggle for the right to self-determination

ArmInfo. The fabricated charges and the resulting sentences against the military-political leadership of Artsakh in Baku have no connection to justice and are aimed at discrediting the Armenian people's struggle for the right to self-determination, which has lasted more than three decades.

This was stated in a statement by the National Assembly of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in connection with the sentence handed down to the military-political leadership of Artsakh following their trial in Baku.

"The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, as the legitimate body representing the interests of the Armenians of the NKR, strongly condemns the fabricated 'trials' organized by the Azerbaijani authorities against the Artsakh military-political leadership and other Armenian prisoners. The fabricated charges brought during these trials and the resulting sentences have no connection to justice and are a clear manifestation of state terrorism and political retribution aimed at discrediting the Armenians' more than three decades-long struggle to defend their rights, which was conducted in full compliance with international law, in particular, one of its fundamental principles—the right to self-determination," the Artsakh parliament stated.

The NKR legislative body noted that the fabricated "trials" in Azerbaijan are a continuation of the military aggression against Artsakh in 2020, accompanied by war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and acts of genocide committed in 2023, which international law clearly qualifies as crimes against humanity. "The continued inaction and indifference of the Armenian authorities, not only regarding the fabricated charges and similar "sentences," but also their political shortsightedness, is also unacceptable and condemnable, as this creates grounds for future accusations against Armenia as a state that encourages terrorism," the parliament added.

The Artsakh National Assembly stated that, regardless of whether the international community notices this in the midst of geopolitical upheaval, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been an integral part of international relations and the agendas of the UN and OSCE for over three decades. As the legislative body recalled, for 15 years, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the leaders of the three permanent members of the UN Security Council—the United States, Russia, and France—have affirmed that the conflict must be resolved through negotiations and based on the right to self-determination.

"Consequently, in the absence of an appropriate response from these institutions, the 'sentences' passed in Baku against the military-political leadership of Artsakh apply equally to the leaders of these countries and international organizations. The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh declares: we will consistently fight to protect the rights of our compatriots and the return of our people to their homeland, and we are confident that, ultimately, justice will prevail and the real criminals will receive the punishment they deserve," the NKR parliament concluded.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate there are several hundred. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; as well as parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and former state minister Ruben Vardanyan.

On February 5, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, while Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison. So far, the verdict has not been announced only for philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, whose case has been separated into separate proceedings.