Former Artsakh leader marks birthday in Azerbaijani captivity

Today marks the 65th birthday of Bako Sahakyan, a former president of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), who remains in Azerbaijani captivity.

Opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan shared a photo of Sahakyan together with former Artsakh Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, also imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

"I would give much to return to the day when this photo was taken and spend such a peaceful time with Bako Sahakyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan and others in Artsakh. Happy 65th birthday, Bako Sahakich. Wishing you good health and a swift return! Freedom to Bako Sahakyan and to all Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan!” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook.

On October 3, 2023, Sahakyan was detained by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service along with former Artsakh leaders Arkadi Ghukasyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan, and later transferred to Baku.

Sahakyan served as Artsakh president from 2007 to 2020.