Azerbaijan’s prosecution has brought its staged trial in Baku to its final phase, requesting the most severe and politically motivated sentences yet against the detained leadership and civilians of Artsakh. The process lacks legitimacy, and the latest demands make clear that the goal is punishment rather than justice.
Former Presidents
Arayik Harutyunyan (2020-2023), life imprisonment
Arkadi Ghukasyan (2007-2020), 20 years
Bako Sahakyan (1997-2007), 20 years
Former Ministers and High Officials
Davit Ishkhanyan, life imprisonment
David Babayan, life imprisonment
Military Officials
Levon Mnatsakanyan, life imprisonment
David Manukyan, life imprisonment
Civilians
Madat Babayan, 20 years
Melikset Pashayan, 20 years
Garik Martirosyan, 19 years
David Alaverdyan, 18 years
Levon Balayan, 17 years
Vasili Beglaryan, 16 years
Gurgen Stepanyan, 16 years
Erik Ghazaryan, 16 years
Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Madat Babayan received fixed-term sentences rather than life imprisonment, reportedly due to their age as all three are over 65 years old.
These sentencing requests target former political leaders, military officials, and civilians without distinction. The pursuit of multiple life terms, including for elderly former officeholders, highlights the punitive nature of the proceedings. None of the charges or courtroom practices meet international legal standards, and the trial functions as an instrument of political retaliation following the 2023 attack on Artsakh.
Human rights organizations continue to question the legitimacy of the process, documenting concerns regarding due process violations, conditions of detention, and the broader objective of criminalizing the leadership and population of Artsakh. With 23 Armenians still held in captivity, including senior political and military figures, the situation remains a serious humanitarian and legal crisis requiring sustained international attention.
