PanARMENIAN.Net - Prosecutors in Azerbaijan are seeking up to 20-year jail terms for two Armenian servicemen who were captured in May 2021 – the same month Azerbaijan's troops first violated the borders of the country.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13, 2021 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. On November 16 of that same year the Azerbaijani side launched a fresh offensive in the province of Syunik, during which Armenian soldiers were killed and taken captive. Furthermore, several Armenian soldiers were killed in Azerbaijan's latest provocation on January 11.

Ishkhan Sargsyan and Vladimir Rafayelyan are now facing 20 and 19 years in prison, respectively, after authorities in Baku accused them of "illegally crossing the border and planting mines on roads". According to local media reports, Sargsyan has also allegedly admitted to receiving orders to blow up the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The next court hearing is scheduled for March 7.