On May 26, the Baku Court of Appeal held a preliminary hearing to review 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 numerous crimes, including war crimes, crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, financing terrorism, and the violent seizure of power 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 participating. During the proceedings, each defendant was provided with legal counsel and interpreters fluent in their respective languages—Armenian and Russian—to ensure their defense rights were upheld.
The hearing was attended by representatives of the victims, state prosecutors—including Abbas Abbasli, head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General's Office, and prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova—as well as Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers, representing the State of Azerbaijan.
During the session, the court composition and interpreters were introduced to the participants, the identities of the convicted individuals were verified, and their procedural rights and obligations were explained. No objections were raised by the parties regarding the court composition or the interpreters.
Prosecutor Anar Alakbarov stated that the appeals were filed in compliance with criminal procedural legislation. He noted that the current stage of the hearing focused on the feasibility of scheduling the case for appellate review, arguing that all procedural requirements had been met and the case could proceed without the need for additional evidence.
Following a deliberation, the court announced its decision to proceed with the appellate review. The main hearing is scheduled for June 2, to be conducted without further investigation or the examination of additional evidence.
It should be recalled that, according to the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated February 5, 2026, 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 roles in the aforementioned crimes.
The legal proceedings underscore Azerbaijan's commitment to holding individuals accountable for violations of international law and war crimes committed during the decades-long conflict in the Garabagh region. The judicial process remains a significant aspect of the post-conflict justice framework in Azerbaijan.
