Baku condemned Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians` right to  self-determination - Konstantil Zatulin

ArmInfo. In fact, Baku condemned the right of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination, which they demonstrated during the collapse of the Soviet Union. This was stated in a statement by Konstantin Zatulin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS  Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, regarding the verdict of the so-called trial of the military-political leadership of Artsakh in Baku.

The Russian deputy recalled that the Azerbaijani military court in  Baku announced the sentences for the leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh  Republic captured in 2023 during the operation to seize Nagorno-  Karabakh. He noted that former NKR presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and  Bako Sahakyan received 20-year prison sentences, while their  successor, Arayik Harutyunyan, received a life sentence. All others,  with the exception of State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, whose case was  separated into a separate proceeding despite his request, face  sentences ranging from 15 years to life.

"The indictment materials of this so-called Baku justice system are  full of bombastic phrases about 'separatism,' 'illegal armed  resistance,' and violations of the laws of Azerbaijan, of which the  defendants were never citizens. For a quarter of a century after the  end of active hostilities in 1994, the Azerbaijani authorities, who  met with those now convicted at conflict resolution negotiation  forums under the auspices of the Minsk Group, the UN, and other  international organizations, even before the trial, called all the  captured leaders of the Republic of Artsakh (NKR) criminals, guilty  of all mortal sins.

"In fact, Baku today condemned the right of the Armenian population  of Nagorno-Karabakh to self- determination, which was demonstrated  during the collapse of the Soviet Union. This was a massacre, a  trial, not a court. And in the context of what happened, even the  most obtuse in the world should understand why every single Armenian  was forced to leave their land, homes, cemeteries, and churches in  occupied Nagorno-Karabakh," he noted.

He also called it a striking coincidence that the verdict was  announced the day after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan,  along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, received the Human  Fraternity Award in the Emirates. "There is no doubt about  Pashinyan's brotherhood with Aliyev. Just as there is no doubt about  Pashinyan's betrayal, which allowed the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh  and the expulsion of his compatriots from their historical lands."  The Armenian government and Nikol Pashinyan, who are knocking on the  doors of Turkey, the United States, Western countries, and even  Russia for their reelection, have not lifted a finger to free their  compatriots, our friends and comrades from captivity. This shame will  forever remain with them," Zatulin added.

According to him, the international Russian-Armenian "Lazarev Club"  calls this outrage and betrayal by their proper names and demands the  release of all illegally detained and illegally convicted prisoners  from Baku prisons-whether they are the leaders of the  Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, citizens of the Republic of Armenia, or  citizens of the Russian Federation-victims of the vengeful  Azerbaijani authorities.

The exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in  Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts estimate the number to  be several hundred. Currently, 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 David Babayan; as well as  Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan; former Commander of the Artsakh  Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and  former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

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