Araik Arutyunyan, who served as the president of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from May 2020 until September 1, 2023, received a life sentence, which fully meets the prosecution's demands. Similar sentences were handed down to former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, his deputy David Manukyan, and former Foreign Minister David Babayan.
Arkadiy Gukasian and Bako Saakyan, also former presidents of the republic, were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The total number of defendants in this case is 15 people. Azerbaijani authorities have charged them with committing a number of crimes against peace and humanity, including aggressive actions in war, genocide, as well as violations of military laws and customs. Additionally, they were accused of terrorism, financing terrorism, violent seizure of power, and its retention.
