Wars usually end with maps redrawn and statements signed. Justice is often left behind. Those responsible for mass killings fade into exile or silence, protected by time, politics, or selective memory. This is why what Azerbaijan has done after restoring its territorial integrity deserves serious attention, even from critics who remain sceptical of Baku’s broader politics.

Azerbaijan has not only restored full sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory. It has also brought individuals accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes before a court of law. In modern conflicts, this combination is unusual. Most states manage one or the other. Very few manage both.

President Aliyev showed a level of political resolve that is rarely sustained once a war ends. Before the conflict, he publicly stated that those responsible for the Khojaly massacre and other crimes against Azerbaijani civilians would face justice. This was not framed as rhetoric for wartime morale. It was a promise. That promise has now been acted upon.

Azerbaijan stands out in contemporary history because it achieved this without foreign military assistance, despite sustained........

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