Former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said the issue of Armenian detainees held in Baku should be raised at the upcoming European summit in Yerevan.

He made the remarks during a videoconference titled “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day: recognition, justice, prevention — from 1915 to the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh,” stressing the international importance of the issue, Sputnik Armenia reports.

According to Ocampo, both the return of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to their homes and the release of detained individuals should be included on the agenda of the European Political Community summit.

He also drew parallels between the events of 1915 and developments in Artsakh in 2023, noting that in both cases there was isolation of leaders and displacement of the Armenian population, though today protective mechanisms can be applied.

Ocampo emphasized the importance of broad public awareness through media coverage, public discussions, and various initiatives so that the international community, particularly European leaders, pay attention to the issue. He added that international judicial institutions can serve as effective mechanisms to protect detainees’ rights and ensure their return.

The Baku court sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh president Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Life sentences were also handed to former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his former deputy Davit Manukyan, as well as former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Davit Babayan and National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan. Former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16, while Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasily Beglaryan received 15-year sentences.