Humanity from the victorious country Azerbaijan’s next step toward peace

Recently, Azerbaijan once again demonstrated its steadfast commitment to humanism and the peace process by transferring Vagif Khachatryan, Gevorg Sujyan, David Davtyan, and Viken Euljekjian—who had been convicted under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and were serving sentences in the country—to Armenian authorities.

This humanitarian gesture highlights several key points. Viken Euljekjian had been sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of terrorism and mercenarism. David Davtyan and Gevorg Sujyan were each sentenced to 15 years for espionage, illegal possession of weapons, and illegal border crossing. Vagif Khachatryan received a 15-year sentence for participating in the genocide in the village of Meshali.

In other words, these individuals were convicted of specific criminal offences, for which appropriate sentences were duly imposed in accordance with the law. Crucially, the nature of the crimes committed by these Armenian citizens clearly demonstrates that they cannot be regarded as “prisoners of war,” a label frequently used by certain segments of Armenian society to describe them, as well as other Armenian nationals who have already been convicted or are currently standing trial in Baku.

The second key point is that Azerbaijan’s actions reflect genuine humanitarian considerations and fully comply with the spirit and provisions of the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

These clarifications are necessary to underscore the inaccuracy and illegitimacy of any potential speculation surrounding the matter. In this context, it is particularly important to stress that the release or transfer to Armenia of the leaders of the former Karabakh junta—Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Ruben Vardanyan—and other individuals responsible for crimes against the Azerbaijani people is categorically ruled out.

As a source in the Azerbaijani government told local media outlet APA, “They will be held accountable for their criminal acts, and once their guilt is proven, they will be punished in the strictest manner.”

Furthermore, it should be emphasised that this humanitarian gesture by Azerbaijan has completely exposed the falsehoods propagated by the Armenian lobby, whose representatives—along with the journalists, lawyers, and politicians they engage from various countries—have repeatedly claimed that Armenian citizens under investigation in Azerbaijan were being “tortured.”

In reality, medical examinations conducted in Armenia confirmed that Gevorg Sujyan, David Davtyan, and Viken Euljekjian have no health issues. Vagif Khachatryan’s condition has been preliminarily assessed as satisfactory, thanks entirely to the professionalism of Azerbaijani doctors, who acted swiftly to save his life when his health suddenly deteriorated.

Through these actions, Azerbaijan is demonstrating its commitment to advancing peace with Armenia not merely in words, but in practice. In this context, a particularly noteworthy statement was made by President Ilham Aliyev during an interview with domestic television channels.

“Our greatness and wisdom, as well as our responsibility, are in plain sight. We could have used force in 2020 and in 2023, and in the events that occurred between these years, and given Armenia the response it deserves. Just as our people lived in suffering, just as our territories were devastated, just as war crimes were committed against us, we could have put their cities in the same condition as Aghdam. I can say with full confidence and certainty that no one could have stopped us. We did not do this. Because, first of all, it would have been wrong. Secondly, I was absolutely sure and knew that sooner or later the war, the military conflict must be stopped, and if we did not stop it, it would not stop. The strong side must stop it,” the head of state said.

These words of President Ilham Aliyev are hard to disagree with. Azerbaijan has consistently acted—and continues to act—as the stronger party: when it liberated its ancestral lands, when it offered Yerevan a peaceful agenda, when it lifted the ban on the transit of goods to Armenia through its territory, and when it began supplying Azerbaijani petroleum products to its neighbour.

The recent humanitarian gesture by Azerbaijan represents a logical continuation of its ongoing efforts toward peace. As Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, stated in an interview with The Washington Times, “We are making peace not only with the government of Armenia, but with the people of Armenia.”

Today, the international community witnesses Azerbaijan once again demonstrating true humanitarianism—an attribute of strong nations—and reaffirming its commitment to establishing long-term peace in the region.