The defense requested acquittal of former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders

Lawyers for the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are on trial in Azerbaijan on charges of serious crimes, have declared the cases groundless and politically motivated. They have demanded acquittals for their clients.

Fifteen former high-ranking officials are in the dock, including three former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh—Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arkady Ghukasyan. Also among the defendants are former parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan, former state minister Ruben Vardanyan (whose case is being heard separately), and other key figures. They are charged under more than 20 articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code.

The prosecutor's office is seeking life sentences for some of the defendants, including Arutyunyan and Ishkhanyan, and 16 to 20 years in prison for the rest. The lawyers emphasize that all of the defendants voluntarily surrendered to Azerbaijani authorities and deny their guilt. The defense points to the inconsistency between the charges and the actual roles of some of the defendants.

Последние новости
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs supported the call for the release of Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku
Human rights
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs supported the call for the release of Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku
23 July 2026

The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs supported the call for Azerbaijan to immediately release Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees. According to Armenpress, citing the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), 44 committee members supported the initiative, with seven voting against.
Chechen-Born Fighter Islam Dulatov to Represent Turkey in UFC
Sport
Chechen-Born Fighter Islam Dulatov to Represent Turkey in UFC
23 July 2026

Chechen-born mixed martial artist Islam Dulatov will officially compete under the Turkish flag in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), ending his previous sporting affiliation with Germany.
In Ingushetia, the search for a man presumed drowned in the Assa River has been ongoing for three days
Society
In Ingushetia, the search for a man presumed drowned in the Assa River has been ongoing for three days
23 July 2026

The search for Bekkhan Aushev, a local resident who presumably drowned in the Assa River, has been ongoing for three days in Ingushetia. In addition to rescuers, more than 100 volunteers have joined the effort.
Saakashvili criticized Transparency International Georgia for refusing to recognize him as a political prisoner
Human rights
Saakashvili criticized Transparency International Georgia for refusing to recognize him as a political prisoner
23 July 2026

Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, criticized Transparency International Georgia after the organization failed to include him on its list of political prisoners. TI's updated report states that there are currently 91 political prisoners in the country, but the former president's name is not among them.