Azerbaijani security services reportedly detained three former presidents of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), escalating tensions in the region. The detained individuals include Arayik Harutyunyan, who served as the de facto president of the NKR from May 2020 until 1 September, Bako Saakyan (2007-20), and Arkadi Ghukasyan (1997-2007). Additionally, the last chair of the NKR parliament, David Ishkhanyan, was also reportedly arrested.
These arrests occurred as the NKR is in the process of formally dissolving itself, following Azerbaijan’s military offensive to retake the territory on September 19-20. The NKR, which had exercised de facto control over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-majority region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, officially disbanded on September 28. The dissolution was declared by its last president, Samvel Shahramanyan.
The reasons behind the recent arrests, the charges leveled against the former leaders, and the circumstances surrounding the detentions remain unclear. Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) has not officially commented on the reported arrests at the time of this information.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the aftermath of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, raising concerns about the treatment of former NKR officials and potential implications for regional stability. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and lingering tensions in the aftermath of the conflict, with ongoing uncertainties about the fate of the region and its former leadership.
