Former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan Sentenced to 20 Years in Azerbaijan
BAKU — A military court in Baku has sentenced Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, to 20 years in prison. The verdict, delivered on February 17, 2026, concludes a high-profile trial that has drawn significant international attention and sharp criticism from human rights advocates.
Vardanyan, a 57-year-old former billionaire banker and philanthropist, was convicted on multiple charges, including “crimes against peace and humanity,” terrorism, financing terrorism, and the creation of illegal armed groups. The court’s decision follows a prosecution request for life imprisonment, the maximum penalty available under Azerbaijani law for the charges levied against him.
Background of the Case
Vardanyan was arrested by Azerbaijani border guards in September 2023 at the Lachin corridor checkpoint while attempting to cross into Armenia. His detention occurred during the mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh following a lightning military offensive by Azerbaijan that restored its full control over the region.
Born in Yerevan, Vardanyan made his fortune in Russia as the head of the investment bank Troika Dialog. In a move that surprised many observers, he renounced his Russian citizenship in 2022 and relocated to Nagorno-Karabakh, serving as the region’s State Minister—equivalent to a prime minister—from November 2022 to February 2023. Although he was removed from office months before the region’s collapse, his high profile made him a primary target for Azerbaijani authorities.
Trial and Reaction
The trial, which took place behind closed doors, has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Azerbaijani officials maintained that the proceedings were conducted in strict accordance with the law, asserting that Vardanyan was provided with state-appointed defense counsel and translation services. Baku has consistently characterized the separatist leadership as heads of an “illegal regime” responsible for decades of conflict on internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory.
However, Vardanyan and his legal team have vehemently rejected the legitimacy of the court. In statements released through his family, Vardanyan described the trial as a “farce” and an “imitation of justice.” His family issued a statement calling the 20-year sentence “horrifying but expected,” alleging that he was denied fundamental due process rights, including access to his international lawyers and independent observers. They also cited concerns regarding his treatment in detention, referencing hunger strikes he undertook to protest his conditions.
Broader Implications
Vardanyan’s sentencing is part of a broader judicial process against the former leadership of the dissolved republic. Earlier this month, the same court handed down sentences ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment for other high-ranking officials, including former presidents Arayik Harutyunyan and Bako Sahakyan.
The verdicts come at a delicate time for the South Caucasus, as Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to negotiate a formal peace treaty to end decades of hostility. While Baku views the trials as a necessary step to restore justice and territorial integrity, Yerevan and various international human rights organizations have expressed concern that the harsh sentences may hinder the reconciliation process.
Vardanyan is expected to serve the first 10 years of his sentence in a prison, with the remainder in a strict-regime correctional facility. It remains unclear if his defense team will attempt to appeal the decision within the Azerbaijani legal system.
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