A group of Members of the European Parliament, including Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Mounir Satouri; Head of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, Nils Ušakovs; and permanent rapporteurs on Armenia and Azerbaijan, Miriam Lexmann and Dan Barna, issued a joint statement condemning the verdicts handed down on February 5 in Baku in the cases of Armenian detainees.
They warned these decisions could jeopardize the fragile but positively evolving peace process in the South Caucasus.
The MEPs urged Azerbaijan to build on the current positive momentum and release all Armenian prisoners under its control, calling such a move a significant gesture of goodwill and a vital step toward lasting peace in the region, according to Armenpress.
They expressed deep regret over the Baku court rulings, which include five life sentences.
The statement emphasized these judicial developments come at a sensitive time, with recent signs of progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at peace and confidence-building. The lawmakers noted the August 8, 2025, announcement in Washington, where both sides initialed the text of a peace and interstate relations agreement.
They also recalled the January 2026 release of four Armenian prisoners captured in Azerbaijan since 2020 and 2023, and cited practical cooperation initiatives, including transit cargo movement through Azerbaijani territory to Armenia.
The statement highlighted the symbolic significance of recent developments, noting that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan were jointly awarded the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for their sustained efforts toward peace in the region.
Former President of Nagorno-Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life in prison. The same sentence was handed down to former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his deputy David Manukyan, as well as to former Foreign Minister David Babayan and former Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan. Former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year sentences.
Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18, David Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasily Beglaryan to 15 years each.
