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Azerbaijan Sentences Former Nagorno-Karabakh Minister to 20 Years

2/17/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, was sentenced to 20 years by an Azerbaijani military court on February 17, 2026.
He faced charges including war crimes and terrorism, which he and his family say are fabricated, with an international lawyer.
The trial was separate from 15 other Armenian prisoners who faced over 2,500 charges.
The decision follows Azerbaijan's control over Nagorno-Karabakh and an exodus of ethnic Armenians.

History

Historical Context

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict intensified after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, following a 1988 movement advocating for Armenian unification. A full-scale war erupted in 1992, resulting in over 30,000 casualties by 1994 and a ceasefire that left Armenia in control of the region. The recent 2023 offensive by Azerbaijan culminated in the expulsion of the Armenian population, highlighting the enduring ethnic tensions.

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Story summary

Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, was sentenced to 20 years by an Azerbaijani military court on February 17, 2026.
He faced charges including war crimes and terrorism, which he and his family say are fabricated, with an international lawyer.
The trial was separate from 15 other Armenian prisoners who faced over 2,500 charges.
The decision follows Azerbaijan's control over Nagorno-Karabakh and an exodus of ethnic Armenians.

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