On August 6, the Baku Court of Appeal concluded the public hearing regarding the appeals filed by several Armenian citizens convicted by the Baku Military Court. The defendants, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, were previously found guilty of numerous serious offenses, including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure of power.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the court session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva (reserve judge Ali Mammadov) in attendance. Throughout the proceedings, the defendants were provided with legal counsel and interpreters in their native languages—Armenian and Russian—to ensure their defense rights were upheld.
The hearing was attended by representatives of the victims, as well as state prosecutors Abbas Abbasli, Anar Alakbarov, and Sevinc Gasimova from the Prosecutor General's Office. Representatives from the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan were also present as observers.
The court announced its final decision, ruling that the February 5, 2026, verdict of the Baku Military Court regarding Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Madat Babayan, Melikset Pashayan, Garik Martirosyan, Erik Ghazaryan, Vasili Beglaryan, Levon Balayan, Davit Allahverdiyan, and Gurgen Stepanyan remains unchanged.
To recall, the February 5, 2026, verdict of the Baku Military Court imposed life imprisonment on Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan. Other defendants received significant prison terms: Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years; Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan to 19 years; Garik Martirosyan to 18 years; Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years each.
The legal proceedings against these individuals represent a significant step in the judicial process concerning the restoration of justice following the liberation of Azerbaijan's territories and the end of the occupation, which had lasted for nearly three decades. The trials underscore the commitment of the Republic of Azerbaijan to holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law committed during the conflict.
