NAGORNO-KARABAKH: Azerbaijan has confirmed the detention of Arayik Harutyunyan, the former president of Nagorno-Karabakh, on suspicion of war crimes and waging an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.
This move follows Baku’s lightning offensive last month, which led to Nagorno-Karabakh agreeing to reintegrate with Azerbaijan. Several other senior figures from the separatist region have also been arrested, including Ruben Vardanyan, a former head of the separatist government.
#Azerbaijani State #Security Service detains former “president” of Karabakh separatists Arayik #Harutyunyan #CaliberAz #Garabaghhttps://t.co/lsOTGCO61D
— Caliber English (@CaliberEnglish) October 4, 2023
Armenia’s foreign ministry has strongly condemned Azerbaijan for these arrests and pledged to protect the rights of those detained, including pursuing international legal action. The UN human rights office has called for the detainees’ full protection.
