BAKU – Prosecutors in Azerbaijan have requested prison terms ranging from 16 years to life for former political and military leaders of Nagorno- Karabakh, as well as other Armenian detainees, during an ongoing trial in Baku. Azerbaijani authorities captured a number of former Karabakh officials, Including three former presidents of the republic, following Azerbaijan’s 2023 capture of the region. The military operation conducted by Azerbaijan forced all ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to flee to Armenia, ending nearly three decades of their push for independence from Baku. Defendants in the trial, which began in January, are accused of starting and conducting war, genocide, terrorism, the violent seizure of power, and other serious crimes. According to Azerbaijan’s staterun Azertac news agency, the prosecution on Thursday asked the court to sentence former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutiunian, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanian, former Defense Army deputy commander Davit Manukian, former Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanian, and former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan to life imprisonment. Azertac reported that prosecutors sought 20-year sentences for former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, citing Azerbaijani law that bars life sentences for individuals aged 65 or older. Prosecutors also asked for 20-year terms for Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan. They requested a 19-year sentence for Garik Martirosian, an 18- year sentence for Davit Alaverdian, a 17-year sentence for Levon Balayan, and 16-year sentences for Vasiliy Beglarian, Gurgen Stepanian, and Erik Ghazarian. The next hearing in the trial is scheduled for November 27.