Baku Court Declares Artsakh Leaders Guilty
The military court in Baku announced that fifteen former leaders of Artsakh have been found guilty. The court concluded that the defendants were indirectly involved in alleged crimes against Azerbaijan committed at various times.
The lead prosecutor stated that the Artsakh Movement and even Artsakh itself should be viewed as “criminal” entities. He argued that Armenia supported their creation, which further fueled conflict in the region.
“They united against the people of Azerbaijan around the idea of national hatred and enmity, within the framework of a criminal organization, which they called ‘Miatsum (Unity),’” the prosecutor said.
In his remarks, the prosecutor described the Artsakh movement as a “criminal enterprise” aimed at separating Karabakh from Azerbaijan and taking control of its sovereign lands. The court echoed this interpretation, emphasizing that the movement’s ideology promoted division and hostility.
The court’s conclusion also contained a list of Armenian political and public figures accused of spreading this “criminal ideology.” The names mentioned included writer and academician Zori Balayan, poet Silva Kaputikyan, political activist Igor Muradyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Robert Kocharian, Serzh Sargsian, and Jirair Sefilyan.
Author’s Summary
The Baku court’s verdict branded both the Artsakh leadership and movement as criminal, holding several Armenian intellectuals and politicians responsible for fostering separatist sentiments.