On June 16, the Baku Court of Appeal continued the hearing regarding the appeals of Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. These individuals, all citizens of the Republic of Armenia, were previously sentenced by the Baku Military Court for 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 proceedings are being 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.
The hearing was attended by representatives of the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General's Office, along with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova. The presiding judge confirmed that the defense had been granted time to prepare their arguments, which are now being presented in the order the appeals were filed.
During the session, defendant Davit Ishkhanyan requested a confidential meeting with his lawyer, which was granted. Following a recess, the court heard the defense attorney for Levon Mnatsakanyan, who requested an acquittal for his client. Mnatsakanyan subsequently addressed the court, supporting his counsel's arguments. The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
The Baku Military Court delivered its original verdict on February 5, 2026. Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Other defendants received prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years for their roles in illegal activities and crimes committed in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan.
