The Baku Court of Appeal has continued hearings 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 sentenced for serious crimes, including war crimes, genocide, terrorism, financing terrorism, and the illegal seizure of power, committed during Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.
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. The court ensured that all defendants were provided with legal counsel and interpreters in their native languages, Armenian and Russian, to uphold their right to a fair defense.
The proceedings featured representatives of the victims and state prosecutors from the Prosecutor General's Office, including department head Abbas Abbasli and prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova. During the session, the prosecution presented detailed arguments refuting the appeals filed by the defendants.
Prosecutor Abbas Abbasli highlighted the extensive evidence of crimes committed by Armenian armed forces during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020. He specifically addressed the role of Arayik Harutyunyan in the criminal network established and supported by Armenia, arguing that his appeal is entirely unfounded. Similarly, prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova presented concrete evidence regarding the criminal activities of Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan, respectively, asserting that the initial verdicts were based on comprehensive and objective investigations.
The prosecution emphasized that the first-instance court thoroughly examined all evidence, including witness testimonies, forensic reports, material evidence, and crime scene protocols, which collectively substantiate the charges. The next court session is scheduled for July 27.
It should be recalled that on February 5, 2026, the Baku Military Court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan to life imprisonment. Other defendants, including Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, received prison sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years for their roles in the crimes committed on the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan.
