Armenian activist calls for confiscation of assets of former separatist leaders

An Armenian blogger and public figure, Roman Baghdasaryan, has called for the confiscation of property belonging to several former separatist leaders, accusing them of corruption and large-scale crimes.

In a post on Facebook, he said that Bako Sahakyan, Ruben Vardanyan, Araik Harutyunyan, and Arkadi Ghukasyan should be targeted, alleging they misappropriated funds and loans, Caliber.Az reports.

He noted that these people are international criminals and have committed an ocean of lawlessness, enriching themselves in the name of ordinary Armenians.

“The same should be done with all ministers, generals, and officials of Karabakh. These people must also receive long sentences in Armenia, as they have caused severe damage to the state budget,” he stressed.

According to him, Ruben Vardanyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan and Araik Harutyunyan are enemies of their region.

“They brought war and committed grave crimes against the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Bako Sahakyan and many of those held in the Baku prison are individuals who killed an ocean of innocent Armenians, and they must be held accountable,” he wrote.

The statement comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in Azerbaijan against former separatist leaders.

On February 5, sentences were announced by the Baku Military Court, which sentenced Araik Harutyunyan to life imprisonment, while Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison, taking into account their age.

The court found them guilty of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power.

Ruben Vardanyan was also sentenced by the Baku court on February 17 to 20 years in prison on charges including crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, and financing terrorism, with the first 10 years to be served in prison and the remainder in a high-security penal facility.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov