Ruben Vardanian, former president of the separatist government of Nagorno-Karabakh, on September 28, 2023, in a photo taken from a video released by the Azerbaijani authorities. AP They were captured in September 2023, during Azerbaijan’s lightning offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at regaining full control of the separatist enclave. The trial of sixteen Armenian prisoners, including eight former leaders of the former self-proclaimed Republic, opened Friday January 17 in Baku, Azerbaijan. They are appearing in particular for “terrorism”, “separatism” and “war crimes”. Azerbaijani media broadcast images of the detainees being taken to the military court by a police convoy. The trial is not being held behind closed doors, but is taking place without international observers or foreign media – Reuters was denied access. Among the accused are three former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh: Arayik Haroutiounian, who led the separatist territory from 2020 to 2023; Arkadi Ghoukassian, president from 1997 to 2007, and Bako Sahakian, who held this position from 2007 to 2020. The last head of parliament, Davit Ichkhanian, is also being prosecuted, as well as David Babayan, former minister of foreign affairs and advisor to the president ; General Davit Manoukian; former Minister of Defense (2015-2018) Levon Mnatsakanian; and billionaire investment banker Ruben Vardanian, short-lived minister of state (from November 2022 to February 2023). You have 76.96% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
Author : News7
Publish date : 2025-01-18 17:49:01
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