The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau released a statement condemning the verdicts handed down by Baku’s military court against Armenian prisoners, noting the symbolic timing, just a day before Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received a peace prize in Abu Dhabi.
“Following a trial farce that lasted over a year, Baku’s military court today issued ‘verdicts’ against the former political-military leadership of Artsakh and other Armenian captives, based on fabricated charges,” the statement read.
It stressed that the closed and fraudulent trial, with its pre-determined outcomes, once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan, despite its peace rhetoric and formal gestures, and with the complicity of Armenia’s current leadership, continues its anti-Armenian policy.
“From the outset, it was clear that the purpose of this so-called trial in Baku was to target and discredit the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia, the struggle for Artsakh’s self-determination, and its leaders,” the ARF stated.
Notably, it added, the verdicts came just one day before Pashinyan and Aliyev were jointly awarded the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity” in Abu Dhabi. “This is the so-called peace process we are witnessing,” the statement said.
It went on to assert that the convicted individuals are, in reality, hostages held by Azerbaijan.
“Talking about peace between Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan without the immediate and unconditional release of these hostages is a cruel mockery, regardless of who promotes such a narrative.”
The ARF reiterated its determination to continue the struggle for the release of all Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. It urged all forces genuinely committed to peace in the region, as well as all international organizations working for human rights, democracy, and justice, to take concrete steps to ensure the captives’ freedom.
“Real peace between Artsakh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is only possible by ensuring all individual and collective rights of the people of Artsakh, including the return of hostages to their homeland.”
The statement concluded by underscoring the need for a strong homeland and national unity around shared goals: “The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is committed to a focused and organized struggle toward this purpose.”
*Former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Others sentenced to life include former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, his first deputy David Manukyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, and Speaker of the National Assembly David Ishkhanyan.
Former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were each sentenced to 20 years. Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan received 19 years, Garik Martirosyan 18, David Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan 16, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasil Beglaryan 15 years in prison.*
