Ex-Defense Chief Accused of Ordering Troop Withdrawal That Let Azerbaijan Seize Armenian Territory

Armenia has launched a criminal investigation against former Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan, accusing him of issuing an unlawful order that allowed Azerbaijani forces to seize strategic military positions inside Armenia in 2021—a highly frustrating period for Armenians worldwide who were still reeling from the war in Artsakh just months earlier.

The new charges shed light on one of the most unsettling episodes in the post-war period, when Azerbaijan began pushing into sovereign Armenian territory and establishing new positions in Syunik.

What Investigators Say Happened in May 2021

According to Armenia’s Investigative Committee, Azerbaijani forces used heavy fog on May 12, 2021, to cross the border near Lake Sevan. They reportedly slipped through gaps between Armenian combat posts and advanced 3 to 3.5 kilometers into Armenian territory, reaching the rear of Armenian positions and securing higher ground.

That land remains under Azerbaijani control today.

Investigators say that between May 14 and 16, when Karapetyan was serving as the first deputy chief of the General Staff—not yet defense minister—he issued an “unfounded verbal order” instructing Armenian troops to withdraw. Officials say he did not have the authority to give such an order and that abandoning those positions caused “serious material consequences” for Armenia’s security.

Armenian units reportedly withdrew on May 16. Azerbaijan moved in immediately and refused to retreat.

Who Is Arshak Karapetyan?

Karapetyan, 58, is a retired major general and a former adviser to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He served briefly as defense minister in 2021 before being dismissed later that year after deadly border clashes.

He is believed to be in Moscow. Armenia has placed him on a wanted list, accusing him of abuse of power and exceeding his official authority. He also faces separate charges linked to alleged “illegal entrepreneurial activities.”

Russian authorities briefly detained him in December 2024 but released him.

Political Disputes and Accusations From Abroad

After his dismissal, Karapetyan publicly accused Pashinyan of treason, claiming the prime minister’s decisions contributed to the collapse of Nagorno-Karabakh’s defenses. From Moscow, he continues to release video statements criticizing Armenia’s leadership.

His supporters argue that he is being targeted politically. Armenian authorities insist the case centers solely on decisions that allowed Azerbaijani troops to strengthen their presence inside Armenia.

Armenia continues to pursue Karapetyan’s extradition as both political tensions and legal proceedings unfold.

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