Media: Azerbaijan rules out release of Armenians accused of war crimes

Azerbaijani authorities have categorically ruled out the possibility of releasing or handing over to Armenia individuals currently standing trial for crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people, government sources have told local media.

The statement follows recent public debate sparked by the transfer of four convicted individuals — Vagif Cherkezi Khachatryan, Gevorg Rubenovich Sudzhyan, David Tigrani Davtyan and Viken Abraham Euljekjian — to Armenia. The handover was carried out in line with a bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and based on humanitarian considerations. All four had been convicted under various articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code and were serving their sentences in the country.

Despite official explanations outlining the specific and limited nature of the decision, speculation has circulated on social media suggesting that other detainees, including those whose trials are still underway, could also be transferred to Armenia.

Government sources have firmly dismissed such claims.

“These assumptions are an illusion,” one source said. “The release or transfer to Armenia of the leaders of the junta and other individuals who committed crimes against the Azerbaijani people is excluded.”

Another senior government source reinforced this position, stressing that all individuals currently facing prosecution will be held fully accountable under the law.

“They will be held accountable for the criminal acts they have committed and, once their guilt is proven, will be punished in the most severe manner,” the source said.

On January 14, Azerbaijan transferred four Armenian citizens convicted of criminal offences to Armenian authorities under a bilateral agreement between Baku and Yerevan, citing humanitarian considerations. The handover took place at the Hakari Bridge and was confirmed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as well as by local media.

The transfer of four convicted Armenians by Azerbaijani authorities comes amid an ongoing, wide-ranging criminal case involving war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan. According to the indictment, 15 defendants of Armenian origin are accused of participating in a criminal association responsible for numerous serious crimes carried out on Azerbaijani territory in violation of both domestic and international law.

Investigators state that the crimes were committed with the aim of conducting military aggression against Azerbaijan and were organised and executed under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state. The indictment alleges the involvement of state institutions, the armed forces and illegal armed formations, acting through written and verbal orders, logistical and personnel support, centralised command and strict control. The case also cites the leadership or participation—direct or indirect—of a number of senior Armenian political and military figures, including Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Vazgen Sargsyan, Samvel Babayan, Vitali Balasanyan, Zori Balayan, Seyran Ohanyan, Arshavir Garamyan, Monte Melkonyan and others.

Those currently standing trial include Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, Davit Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan and Melikset Pashayan.

They face charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including planning and waging a war of aggression, genocide, extermination and deportation of the population, enslavement, persecution, enforced disappearances, torture, mercenary activity, terrorism and its financing, violations of the laws and customs of war and international humanitarian law, intentional murder, illegal arms trafficking, creation of a criminal organisation, and the forcible seizure of power, among other grave offences.

By Vugar Khalilov