POW trials aim to kill self-determination: legal expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Siranush Sahakyan, head of the International Comparative Law Center, has described the ongoing trials in Baku against the former political and military leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh as entirely symbolic and politically motivated, with harsh penalties demanded purely for demonstration purposes.

She recalled that Azerbaijani prosecutors have sought life sentences for all former leaders except Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, due to a legal provision that prohibits life imprisonment for defendants over 65. In these cases, prosecutors instead requested 20-year prison terms. Prosecutors emphasized the need for the strictest punishment, not based on crimes but on political symbolism, Sahakyan said.

“In my view, these maximum penalties are symbolic. These individuals are essentially being punished for exercising rights associated with Karabakh’s declaration of independence. What’s happening in Baku’s courts is a condemnation of the right to self-determination. It’s as if Azerbaijan is trying to declare that the chapter of Artsakh’s self-determination is closed, that right is now imprisoned indefinitely, and no Armenian should dare to revive the idea of future struggle for that cause,” she explained.

She asserted that guilty verdicts are a foregone conclusion, as Azerbaijani courts have never delivered genuine justice. “There are no independent courts in Azerbaijan. These are political tools used to suppress dissent. Military courts, in particular, where Armenian-related cases are tried, are fully controlled by the executive branch,” Sahakyan noted.

She said that the indictments and verdicts are clearly dictated by political orders, not legal merit.

“Our task is to highlight the violations in these trials before international bodies, and to secure rulings that delegitimize Azerbaijan’s judicial conduct. There is precedent for this,” she said.

Asked who she means by “our,” Sahakyan clarified that while human rights defenders and civil society groups act independently, the state approach differs and shows some shortcomings. “The state’s conduct is different. There are gaps. We have often welcomed state-led legal efforts, but unfortunately, they are vulnerable to political pressure. Negotiations are ongoing, yes, but they are not balanced. This imbalance affects the outcomes. Armenian interests aren’t well-defended because, in my assessment, Armenia operates under constant threats and pressure,” she said.

When asked under what conditions prisoners might be released, Sahakyan pointed to the United States as a key actor.

“Since the peace agreement was pre-signed with U.S. mediation, Washington has all the tools to pressure Baku. I believe it has a moral obligation to act. If there are concrete steps to implement the agreement, I expect Azerbaijan will release some of the prisoners as part of the process,” she said.

She stressed, however, that any release would be directly linked to the degree of progress in implementing the peace accord.

According to Azerbaijani media, prosecutors have requested life sentences for former Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, ex-Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, his former deputy Davit Manukyan, and former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan. Twenty-year terms were requested for ex-presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan. Other proposed sentences include: Garik Martirosyan — 19 years, Davit Alaverdyan — 18 years, Levon Babayan — 17 years, and Vasil Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Edik Ghazaryan — 16 years.