News - Ten months, following 'Azertajin'.

Published on: November 17, 2025 Ten months — following Azertag Mariam Barsheyan The trial in the Baku Military Court. Photo: Azertag Since January 17 this year, many in Armenia began following the Azerbaijani Azertag. It is the only media outlet that “covers” the Armenian trial in the Baku Military Court. From it, over the past ten months we have learned what is happening during the hearings, well aware that “Azertag” shows it in the way it deems appropriate. Armenian media outlets present Azertag’s reports in translation, noting that both the trial and the charges are trumped up. It is an unprecedented situation — publishing materials knowing that their content is determined solely by the Azerbaijani side judging our captured compatriots, does not reflect reality, the facts are distorted. But however heavy and unusual the situation is, these materials are the only way to keep the fact of the prisoners’ existence in public memory, not to forget. Penalties are known Photos of 15 captured Armenians — from the January 17 first hearing and the last photos from the November 13 hearing — had the same shocking impact on public platforms. We awaited the photographs from the first hearing with anxiety and concern, but after a few hearings they became “ordinary,” attracting less attention. Mariam Barsheyan We do not know what to write about the prisoners, how and why January 20, 2025 The information of November 13 about the prisoners’ proposed sentences reminded again of having a fellow countryman in a Baku prison. In court, the prosecutors defending the indictment proposed life imprisonment for Artsakh’s fourth president Arayik Harutyunyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanian, former deputy commander of the Artsakh Defense Army Davit Manukyan, former Artsakh foreign minister Davit Babayan, and the last chairman of the Artsakh National Assembly Davit Ishkhanian. Twenty years of imprisonment for Artsakh’s second and third presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, and for Artsakh citizen Madat Babayan, because they had turned 65 by the time of the court’s final decision, i.e., the publication of the verdict. For Melikset Pashayyan, 20; for Davit Alaverdian, 18; Garik Martirosyan, 19; Levon Balayan, 17; Vasili Beglaryan, Eric Gazaryan and Gurgen Stepanian, 16 years each. The next court session will be held on November 27. There is a theoretical return option The penalties have already been published, which, however, does not mean that all possibilities for the return of Armenian prisoners are closed. International law expert Ara Ghazaryan, on 1in.am’s air, notes that this is possible but not through judicial processes — for example, the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev could declare a pardon, using the exclusive right reserved for him by the law. “Maybe this will be done long after — as a result of international pressure or a negotiated agreement, but there is always a mechanism, as in the case of Ramil Safarov,” the expert says. He also notes that this would be done in exchange for concessions by the Armenian side. The issue of the proceedings in Baku and the jailed Armenian prisoners is discussed in the media mainly from a legal perspective. In a political context, the steps of the government toward their return — not yet visible — become a topic of discussion. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regularly reminds journalists that they are working on the issue but cannot say anything — it is a highly sensitive topic. And in his speech at the UN General Assembly’s 80th session, addressing the prisoners’ issue, Pashinyan used a new formulation for them — “a person deprived of liberty due to the protracted conflict.” During the ten months of the proceedings in Baku, events occurred that heightened discussions about the prisoners’ return and their condition. On August 8, the Peace Agreement was initialed, but without any possibility of prisoners’ return. On September 19, the Director of Armenia’s National Security Service went to Baku, and according to the press, the prisoners’ families hoped that with him some prisoners would also return. On September 2, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it was ceasing its activities in Baku. Regulation of digital platforms in the European Union: Are they applicable in Armenia? November 14, 2025 Armenia–Azerbaijan: What the governments have demanded from social media platforms November 13, 2025 The continuing responses to Washington meetings in Armenia and Azerbaijan November 12, 2025 Mariana Danielyan Education, artificial intelligence, digital citizenship — media literacy week in Armenia November 12, 2025 Mariam Barsheyan A new platform for discussing Armenian–Azerbaijani relations with Azerbaijanis November 10, 2025 Mariana Danielyan AB revolution, or information chaos November 10, 2025