Armenia detains former Nagorno-Karabakh official on espionage charges
- 5 April, 08:10
A former official from Nagorno-Karabakh has been arrested in Armenia on suspicion of espionage, following his relocation to Armenia several months after the region's surrender to Azerbaijan. Sargis Galstyan's arrest came to light on Wednesday, as announced by Armenia's Investigative Committee, which detailed the charges against him.
Galstyan, who held various official positions in Nagorno-Karabakh previously, was apprehended while moving from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Armenian media indicated that the arrest took place in Syunik.
Though their identities were not disclosed, the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed on Wednesday that they had facilitated the transfer of two individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia on March 29th. There has been speculation in Armenian media that these individuals were Galstyan and his wife, Margarita Shahnazaryan.
In October last year, Tatul Hakobyan, an Armenian journalist, reported that Galstyan had been appointed by Azerbaijan as Stepanakert's 'commandant'. Hakobyan also mentioned that Galstyan had held various positions in Nagorno-Karabakh's former government, including within its National Security Service, and had maintained good relations with former presidents Bako Sahakyan and Samvel Shahramanyan. Additionally, Galstyan was appointed as deputy head of the presidential staff by decree of Shahramanyan in September.
Gegham Stepanyan, Nagorno-Karabakh's former Human Rights Defender, suggested in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that the charges leveled against Galstyan might be connected to several potential factors. These factors include speculation surrounding Galstyan's purported appointment as a commandant in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan, his choice to remain in the region subsequent to its surrender, and his activities on social media platforms. These statements reflect the complexities surrounding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh following the conflict and subsequent ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Stepanyan told RFE/RL in December that Baku sponsored content created by the few of the region’s remaining population to influence Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to return.
He added that Galstyan’s wife had been posting videos from the deserted region stating it was safe.
