Azerbaijan has convicted R. Vardanian, the former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, sentencing him to 20 years in prison for charges that include humanitarian crimes, war crimes, and terrorism. This conviction comes amid a broader crackdown on political figures following Azerbaijan's military reassertion of control over the region in September 2023. Alongside Vardanian, several other Armenian leaders have also received life sentences or long prison terms, highlighting the severity of the legal repercussions faced by those involved in the separatist administration.

Since its de facto independence in the early 1990s, Nagorno-Karabakh has functioned as a separatist state, heavily influenced by Armenia and supported by Russia. However, international law recognizes the territory as part of Azerbaijan, and the recent trials of Armenian leaders are seen as politically charged, with accusations of being show trials. Organizations, particularly from Germany, have criticized the trials for lacking proper legal grounding and have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the legal processes.

The geopolitical tension surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh has historical roots dating back to the 1980s and has been a significant point of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The recent convictions may further entrench divisions in the region and provoke backlash from Armenian communities, and the international community's response to these sentences will be closely watched as it could influence future relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.