President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the sentencing of leaders of the former illegal separatist regime in Garabagh, emphasizing that they operated on sovereign Azerbaijani territory recognized by the international community, including Armenia. Speaking to France 24 in Munich, the head of state responded to questions regarding the military court's decision to hand down heavy prison sentences to 13 individuals, including a life sentence for a former leader of the illegal entity.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev stated that these individuals were the primary organizers of war crimes committed against Azerbaijanis over several decades. "These people were detained in Garabagh as a result of our military operations and held accountable. They were provided with legal counsel, and the judicial process was entirely transparent. Their crimes were proven through extensive witness testimony and evidence; there can be no talk of any legal violations," the President added.
The legal proceedings follow Azerbaijan's restoration of full sovereignty over its territories. The individuals stood trial for various charges, including terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the formation of illegal armed groups. Azerbaijan has consistently maintained that all judicial processes regarding the former separatist leadership are conducted in strict accordance with national legislation and international human rights standards. The Garabagh region, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, saw the dissolution of the illegal separatist regime following the anti-terror measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023.
