An Armenian court has sentenced former Republic of Artsakh official Sargis Galstyan to eighteen years imprisonment after finding him guilty of spying for Azerbaijan.

Galstyan held various posts in the Artsakh government between 2018 and 2023 and remained in Stepanakert with his wife after Azerbaijan recaptured what remained of the Artsakh Republic in September 2023.

Armenian law enforcement arrested Galstyan in March 2024, a day after the couple arrived in Armenia via the Lachin Corridor.

Armenian officials claimed he admitted working for Azerbaijani security services during and after the 2020 Artsakh war. Galstyan, two months later, withdrew his confession, claiming it was made under duress. Armenia’s Investigative Committee flatly denied the claim.

Galstyan’s defense team says they will appeal the verdict.

A veteran of the first Karabakh war, Galstyan served as Deputy Head of the Shushi Regional Administration and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Artsakh Presidential Administration.