The expert spoke about the consequences of Ruben Vardanyan's sentence.

The verdict of the former Minister of State of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Ruben Vardanyan was predictable. This was stated by Vadim Mukhanov, Head of the Caucasus Sector of the IMEMO RAS, in an interview with Izvestia.

"Just a few days ago, the sentences of other Karabakh leaders were announced — all received from 20 years in prison to life imprisonment. Vardanyan's sentence is no different in this sense. I don't think this case will cause any violent reaction in Armenia. The authorities are doing their best to erase the topic of the loss of Karabakh from the public consciousness. Especially now, during the pre—election period in the country, it becomes especially important to put the unrecognized NKR into oblivion," he explained.

The Prisoner of Oblivion: how will Vardanyan's sentence affect the situation in Transcaucasia

The businessman will spend 20 years in prison.

Earlier, on February 17, the Baku Military Court sentenced Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. He was charged under 15 articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including planning and waging an aggressive war, violent seizure of power, terrorism, torture, mercenary activities and others.

On February 5, the Baku Military Court sentenced former NKR President Arayik Harutyunyan and several high-ranking ex-officials to life imprisonment. Former NKR Presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20 years in prison each.

Read about the reasons and consequences of this court decision in the Izvestia article.

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