Azerbaijan has officially protested remarks made by a Russian lawmaker regarding the sentencing of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The tensions erupted following the sentencing of 13 individuals, including former regional leader Arayik Harutyunyan, by an Azerbaijani military court.
Azerbaijan’s Response to Russian Comments
On February 6, 2026, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador. This action was prompted by statements made by Konstantin Zatulin, a member of the Russian State Duma. Zatulin called the legal proceedings in Azerbaijan a “settling of scores” rather than a legitimate trial.
Azerbaijan’s foreign officials expressed that Zatulin’s remarks were unacceptable. They urged Russia to take appropriate steps to prevent rhetoric that could destabilize relations.
Details of the Sentencing
- Five defendants received life sentences.
- Eight others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years.
- The individuals were accused of multiple charges, including war crimes.
The military court’s decision comes after a fraught history between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in the region. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the area became a contentious territory leading to two wars.
An Evolving Conflict
In 2023, Azerbaijan regained control over Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to the exodus of around 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia. Since then, the regional situation has remained volatile.
International human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding the fairness of the ongoing trials of captured officials in Baku. This scrutiny intensifies as Azerbaijan and Russia navigate their increasingly tense relationship.
Diplomatic efforts are crucial at this juncture to foster peace and stability in the region amidst these developments.
