The Baku Military Court has delivered a verdict in the high-profile trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing grave crimes on the territory of Azerbaijan.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing Qafqazinfo, the court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan to life imprisonment. Alongside him, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were also handed life sentences for their roles in separatist activities and crimes against humanity.
The prosecution had previously requested the maximum penalty for the defendants, citing the severity of their actions. In addition to the life sentences, the court sentenced Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan to 20 years in prison, while Madat Babayan received a 19-year sentence. The individuals were found guilty of a range of charges, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the illegal seizure of power.
The trial follows Azerbaijan's restoration of sovereignty over its internationally recognized territories. The defendants were apprehended following the anti-terror measures conducted by Azerbaijan in September 2023, which led to the final dissolution of the illegal separatist regime in Garabagh. The legal proceedings in Baku have been conducted in accordance with international legal standards, providing the accused with legal representation and translation services throughout the process as Azerbaijan seeks justice for victims of the decades-long occupation.
