On July 10, the Baku Court of Appeal continued hearings regarding the appeals filed by several Armenian nationals, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan. These individuals were previously sentenced by the Baku Military Court for 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 during the conflict with 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 for the Armenian and Russian languages, as required by law. Representatives for the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, Anar Alakbarov, and Sevinc Gasimova from the Prosecutor General's Office, were also present.
During the proceedings, defendant Arkadi Ghukasyan continued his statement, maintaining his plea of not guilty regarding the charges brought against him. Subsequently, the defense counsel for defendant Vasily Beglaryan requested that the court overturn the February 5, 2026, verdict and issue an acquittal. Beglaryan also testified, denying the charges. Similar requests for acquittal were made by the defense attorneys for Bako Sahakyan, who also maintained his innocence during the session. The court scheduled the next hearing for July 14.
The legal proceedings stem from the Baku Military Court's verdict on February 5, 2026, which handed down severe sentences for the defendants' roles in illegal activities against the Republic of Azerbaijan. Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Other defendants received lengthy prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years for their involvement in the aforementioned crimes.
