Ex-Artsakh leaders, parliament speaker placed in 4-month detention in Azerbaijan

Two former presidents of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan, as well as parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan, have been placed in 4-month detention in Azerbaijan pending a trial, Azerbaijani media reported on Thursday.

They were arrested by Azerbaijan's State Security Service and taken to Baku on Tuesday. Former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan was apprehended by Azeri security officers later on Tuesday.

Artsakh’s former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, former army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his ex-deputy David Manukyan were detained by Azerbaijani authorities last week.