A military court in Baku sentenced today (05.02.2026) former Armenian leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh to prison terms ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment, according to Azerbaijani state media. Internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh was under Armenian control for decades. Baku partially retook the region during a new war in autumn 2020 and fully regained it following a swift offensive in September 2023. At that time, numerous regional leaders were arrested, and the entire Armenian population—some 100,000 people—fled to Armenia as refugees.
Arayik Harutyunyan, who led the Karabakh government from May 2020 to September 2023, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Azerbaijan’s military court, per state news agency Azertag. He pleaded guilty to charges including ‘waging an aggressive, genocidal, and terrorist war’ related to decades of Armenian control over Karabakh.
Two others—Arkadi Ghukasyan (president 1997–2007) and Bako Sahakyan (2007–2020)—received 20-year sentences, as life imprisonment could not be imposed due to their age exceeding 65. Also sentenced to life were former Karabakh parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanian, former foreign minister Davit Babayan, and Armenian armed forces general Davit Manukyan—all convicted on identical charges.
Two additional trials began in Baku in January 2025: one involving 15 former officials, and another targeting Ruben Vardanyan, who led the region from November 2022 to February 2023. Most hearings are held behind closed doors.
Armenia’s Foreign Minister stated he would pursue ‘all possible diplomatic steps’, including action before international judicial bodies, to protect the rights of those on trial in Baku.