Arrest of Artsakh Presidents Illegal, Criminal Cases Fabricated: Siranuhi Sahakyan

The arrest of three presidents of Artsakh by Azerbaijan has a political context. This statement was made today by Siranuhi Sahakyan, the president of the Center for Interethnic and Comparative Law, during a press briefing.

“The legal mechanisms for disclosing crimes have been used by Azerbaijan to demonstrate its power. Thus, Azerbaijan attempts to punish individuals who have been symbolic for the statehood of Artsakh; the presidents played such a role as they ensured unity and the struggle for the self-determination of Artsakh. This also applies to pro-Armenian figures and military leaders,” emphasized Sahakyan.

According to her, the punitive actions of Azerbaijan in a non-recognized state are demonstrative, and the aim is also to gain psychological advantages and leverage long-term effects. “Holding a position in a non-recognized state is a permissible action, and we have no precedents where leaders of a non-recognized state have been held accountable for governing that state. The Republic of Artsakh has never been classified in international registries as a terrorist entity, and those who led it have not been included in the list of terrorists. Accordingly, the arrests are illegal, and the criminal cases raised against Artsakh officials are fabricated,” Sahakyan emphasized.

She believes that the charges against Artsakh officials could be under any article of the criminal code, and since Azerbaijan has authority in international forums, it can persecute any individual for political reasons. The international law expert recalled that of the 27 cases at the European Court of Human Rights, 11 have been against Azerbaijan for politically motivated persecutions. This, according to her, indicates that Azerbaijan has a formed practice and history of fabricating criminal cases for political reasons and presenting them to the public.

Earlier, it was reported that the Azerbaijani side arrested former Prime Minister of Artsakh, philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, former commander of the Defense Army, Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy commander of the Defense Army, Davit Manukyan, former Foreign Minister of Artsakh, Davit Babayan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh, Davit Ishkhanyan, and former presidents of Artsakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan.