A former official from Nagorno-Karabakh has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of espionage. Sargis Galstyan, who once held high-ranking positions in Nagorno-Karabakh’s government, was arrested earlier this year and charged with spying for a foreign country. The court’s ruling has caused a stir, and the prosecutor’s office has already announced plans to appeal the decision, demanding a harsher punishment of life imprisonment.
Espionage Charges and Arrest
The case centers around Galstyan’s alleged actions over the past few years. According to the charges, he began working for a foreign intelligence service in November 2020. At that time, Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian region, was facing intense conflict with Azerbaijan. Galstyan is accused of gathering sensitive information and sharing it with foreign officials. The information allegedly involved the local population’s views on the conflict, the positions of Nagorno-Karabakh’s leaders, and the possibility of military aid from Armenia during the September 2023 fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Galstyan had been one of the key figures in Nagorno-Karabakh’s government before the region’s collapse. In September 2023, he was appointed deputy head of the presidential staff by the region’s last president, Samvel Shahramanyan. However, shortly after the region’s defeat and following months of instability, Galstyan left Nagorno-Karabakh and moved to Armenia, where he was arrested in April.
Galstyan’s Alleged Role and Personal Connections
Galstyan’s background is important in understanding the gravity of the charges. Before his arrest, he had served in various government positions in Nagorno-Karabakh, and it is said that he also worked with the region’s National Security Service. His connections with former presidents Bako Sahakyan and Samvel Shahramanyan indicate that he was well-known and trusted within the region’s leadership circles.
During the turmoil in Nagorno-Karabakh, Galstyan, along with his wife, was one of the few Armenians who chose to stay in the region after most of the population fled due to the conflict. It is reported that Galstyan’s decision to remain in the area was influenced by an offer from a foreign intelligence agent, although the full details of the offer are unclear.
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Galstyan’s lawyer has strongly denied the espionage charges, arguing that his client’s confession was obtained under pressure. The defense has claimed that the confession, which Galstyan later retracted, was made during intense interrogation and was not a true reflection of his actions. He has consistently maintained his innocence, and his legal team continues to fight the case in court.
Court Ruling and Legal Reactions
After a lengthy investigation, the court has now found Galstyan guilty of espionage. The sentence of 18 years in prison has shocked many, and there are differing opinions on the fairness of the decision. While some see this as a necessary step to protect national security, others view it as politically motivated, especially considering the tense political atmosphere surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh’s future.
The prosecutor’s office, which led the investigation, has already announced plans to appeal the decision. They argue that the sentence is too lenient, and they are pushing for a life sentence instead. This appeal highlights the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing legal battle over the fate of Galstyan.
Galstyan’s case is part of a broader and increasingly tense political environment in the region, especially after the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani forces. The court’s decision has raised many questions about the loyalty and actions of former Nagorno-Karabakh officials. While the prosecution sees this as a victory for justice, the defense continues to contest the charges, insisting that Galstyan is the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for those who were once part of Nagorno-Karabakh’s leadership. The legal fight over espionage charges is just one of many battles unfolding in the wake of the region’s surrender and the larger conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.