The media reported the detention of ex-presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan

The State Security Service of Azerbaijan detained former presidents of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, reports APA agency.

According to the agency, former parliamentary speaker David Ishkhanyan was also detained.

“<…> were detained for their criminal acts by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan as part of criminal cases initiated against them and taken to Baku,” writes APA.

Ghukasyan was the president of the republic from 1997 to 2007, and Sahakyan from 2007 to 2020.

Previously, the Azerbaijani authorities announced Former NKR President Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as army commander Jalal Harutyunyan, are on the international wanted list “in connection with crimes committed during the 44-day war of 2020.” According to the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev, Baku has put more than 300 people from among Karabakh officials and commanders on the international wanted list. It was also reported about the detention of Presidential Advisor David Babayan, ex-army commander Lieutenant General Levon Mnatsakanyan.

On September 27, while trying to travel from Karabakh to Armenia, Azerbaijani authorities detained ex-Minister of State of the unrecognized republic, former head of the Russian investment company Troika Dialogue, Ruben Vardanyan. The next day he was charged with “financing terrorism.” Vardanyan was taken into custody for four months.

On September 19, Azerbaijan began “anti-terrorist measures” in Nagorno-Karabakh. The next day, Karabakh authorities announced the conclusion of agreements on a complete ceasefire. On September 28, the president of the unrecognized republic, Samvel Shahramanyan, signed a decree on the termination of its existence from January 1, 2024 and the dissolution of all government institutions and organizations.