Azerbaijani authorities recently confirmed the arrest of Arayik Harutyunyan, a former president of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. The arrest comes shortly after Azerbaijan’s victory in the conflict against Armenian separatists. However, Armenia reacted strongly to the arrest, calling it “illegal” and “arbitrary.”
Arayik Harutyunyan, who ruled Nagorno-Karabakh until last September, is accused by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office of having “led a war” and used mercenaries, in violation of international humanitarian principles. However, the Azerbaijani authorities did not specify the exact date of his arrest.
For its part, Armenia strongly condemns these arrests, denouncing “illegal” and “arbitrary” acts on the part of Baku against the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian authorities regret that despite promises to respect the rights of Armenians in this region, Azerbaijan continues to carry out arbitrary arrests.
Rouben Vardanian, another senior Nagorno-Karabakh official, was also placed in pre-trial detention by Azerbaijani authorities in late September. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for his rights to be respected, while his family expresses fear for his life and health, having no information on his conditions of detention.
This situation is causing serious tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as the two countries try to find common ground to resolve differences arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The arrests of former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh raise questions about respect for human rights and the transition process in this region.
It is essential that the Azerbaijani authorities ensure that the fundamental rights of all individuals, regardless of their political affiliation, are respected. Likewise, it is important that Armenia and Azerbaijan work together to ensure a peaceful transition in the Nagorno-Karabakh region to ensure long-term stability and security.
This situation highlights the importance of an open and constructive dialogue between all parties concerned, in order to achieve a lasting and just solution for Nagorno-Karabakh and its inhabitants. It is crucial to prevent any violation of human rights and to promote reconciliation and justice for all parties involved in the conflict.
In conclusion, the arrest of the former president of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, by the Azerbaijani authorities provoked strong reactions from Armenia, which denounces illegal and arbitrary arrests. This situation highlights the importance of open dialogue and peaceful transition in the region to guarantee stability and human rights.