On June 23, the Baku Court of Appeal continued hearings regarding the appeals filed by several Armenian citizens, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan. These individuals were previously convicted by the Baku Military Court for their roles in crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the forcible seizure of power during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
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 proceedings ensured that all defendants were provided with legal counsel and interpreters for the Armenian and Russian languages to facilitate their defense.
The session was attended by representatives of the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, head of the Department for the Protection of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General's Office, along with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova.
During the proceedings, Levon Mnatsakanyan continued his defense statement, requesting that the court consider specific video materials and facts presented by the defense. He maintained his plea of not guilty regarding the charges brought against him. Subsequently, the defense lawyers for Erik Ghazaryan, Garik Martirosyan, Levon Balayan, and Gurgen Stepanyan presented their arguments, with several requesting either a reduction in sentences or acquittal for their clients. The defendants themselves affirmed their disagreement with the charges and supported their legal representatives' positions.
The court scheduled the next hearing for June 30.
It should be noted 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 received lengthy 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.
