06/16/2021 Azerbaijan (International Christian Concern) –  Prisoner of war and Lebanese-Armenian Viken Euljekjian had his verdict read on June 14 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Euljekjian’s trial began on May 16 where he faced charges related to terrorism, mercenary activity, and illegal border crossing. Euljekjian, originally arrested in November 2020, was captured with another Lebanese-Armenian, Maral Najarian, who was later released after four months in prison.

Just a few days prior to the verdict announcement, Azerbaijan returned 15 Armenian prisoners of war, a move that brought international praise for cooperation. Later, the names of 26 more Armenian prisoners of war were released as those to face trial in Baku. Azerbaijan intends to present them as “saboteurs” and to put them on trial.