Baku: The Baku Court of Appeal continued to hear appeals filed by Armenian citizens, including Arayik Harutyunyan and others, who were previously convicted by the Baku Military Court for crimes related to Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan. The ongoing hearings, reported by APA, involve defendants convicted of serious offenses such as crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other related charges.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the defendants, including Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and others, face charges like planning and waging an aggressive war, genocide, violations of war laws, terrorism, and forcible seizure of power. The appeal hearing was presided over by a panel of judges led by Elmar Rahimov, with Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating, and Ali Mammadov serving as a reserve judge. Each defendant was provided with interpreters and legal counsel to ensure their defense rights.
Representatives of the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli from the Prosecutor General's Office, attended the hearing. The presiding judge noted that time had been allocated for defense preparation in the previous session and inquired about their readiness to proceed. The defense confirmed they were prepared, and the court indicated that defense statements would proceed in the order of the appeals filed.
During the session, defendant Davit Ishkhanyan requested a confidential meeting with his lawyer, which was granted. After a recess, Ishkhanyan met privately with his defense counsel and reviewed the court session minutes with an interpreter's assistance. Following the recess, Levon Mnatsakanyan's lawyer addressed the court, asking for his client's acquittal on exonerating grounds, with Mnatsakanyan supporting his lawyer's arguments.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 23. Previously, on February 5, 2026, the Baku Military Court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others to life imprisonment. Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year prison terms, while others received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years.