Armenian civilian with health issues may face 20 years in jail in Azerbaijan

Citizen of Armenia Karen Ghazaryan may be sentenced to 20-year imprisonment in Azerbaijan, a court official told Interfax-Azerbaijan.
Despite being a civilian Ghazaryan has been announced a saboteur in Azerbaijan.

“The trial over Karen Ghazaryan’s case continues. Today the state prosecutor demanded 20-year imprisonment for him,” court official said.

The Armenian citizen has been charged under few articles in Azerbaijan including murder, terrorism, illegal possession of arms, spying, illegal border crossing, etc.

Karen Ghazaryan appeared in the territory of Azerbaijan in July 2018 and was presented as a saboteur. Armenian police public relations department head Ashot Aharonyan stated that Ghazaryan is a civilian and has health issues and has no relation to the military service.

“Karen Ghazaryan is the resident of bordering Berdavan community in Armenia’s Tavush region. He has no relation to military service. He has health issues and has been registered in corresponding medical establishment since 2013. The circumstances on how he appeared in Azerbaijan are being clarified,” Aharonyan said.

Armenian Defense Ministry also stated that resident of Berdavan born in 1984 Karen Ghazaryan is not serving and has never served in the Armenian Armed Forces.