Azerbaijani authorities have detained Arayik Harutyunyan, the former president of the self declared Nagorno Karabakh Republic, according to the State Security Service. The detention was reported by the agency and is described as a transfer to Baku for further processing. Harutyunyan led the unrecognized Nagorno Karabakh leadership from May 21, 2020, until September 1, 2023, a period marked by conflict dynamics and interlinked regional tensions. Earlier, other former Nagorno Karabakh leaders were detained by Azerbaijani security forces, including Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, events that have recurred across shifts in control and authority within the contested region.
On September 19, Azerbaijani authorities stated that a localized operation had been conducted in Karabakh. The stated aim was to counter large scale provocations, disarm Armenian forces, and withdraw Armenian army units from the territory. The operation underscored the ongoing frictions surrounding the region and the fragile governance framework that followed the 2020 conflict. The next day, the involved parties reached a ceasefire arrangement with mediation provided by Russian peacekeepers, highlighting the continued role of external actors in stabilizing the area and overseeing compliance with the terms of the ceasefire.
Subsequent developments included a decree issued on September 28 by Nagorno Karabakh authorities confirming the formal termination of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as an independent entity, with the dissolution taking effect by January 1, 2024. This move reflected a significant shift in the status of the region and a reconfiguration of governance amid enduring disputes about autonomy, recognition, and security guarantees.
Over the same period, there were statements from the United States pledging support to the people of Karabakh, signaling international interest in the stability and humanitarian concerns affecting the population. The overall sequence of detentions, security operations, ceasefire arrangements, and administrative changes illustrates the complex trajectory of governance and conflict in and around Nagorno Karabakh. The situation continues to be monitored by regional and international actors, with attention focused on ceasefire implementation, the reintegration of administrative structures, and the protection of civilians amid lingering tensions.