Baku: On July 7, the Baku Court of Appeal continued the hearings of 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 crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and other offenses related to Armenia's military actions against Azerbaijan.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva in attendance, along with reserve judge Ali Mammadov. To ensure a fair trial, interpreters were provided for the defendants in Armenian and Russian, alongside legal counsel. Representatives of the victims and prosecutors from the General Prosecutor's Office, including Abbas Abbasli, Anar Alakbarov, and Sevinc Gasimova, were also present.

The hearing began with the presiding judge acknowledging the receipt of a translated motion from defendant Davit Ishkhanyan's defense lawyer, submitted during a previous session. David Babayan, maintaining his previous stance, declared his innocence regarding the charges against him.

Davit Ishkhanyan's defense team requested a private meeting with him, to which the judge agreed, ensuring arrangements for a confidential discussion with his lawyer. Prosecutor Anar Alakbarov reiterated that the prosecution had already addressed the defense's issues, asserting that claims of rights violations were unfounded. He requested the court to attach the relevant paragraphs of the appeal for examination.

Victims' representatives concurred with the prosecution's stance. Consequently, the court dismissed the motion, ruling that it was not pertinent to the current stage of proceedings. The hearing was adjourned to facilitate a meeting between Ishkhanyan and his legal counsel.

Following the recess, Arkadi Ghukasyan's defense lawyers argued for an acquittal, seeking to overturn the verdict against him. The court scheduled the next hearing for July 10.

The Baku Military Court's verdict on February 5, 2026, had sentenced Harutyunyan, Mnatsakanyan, Manukyan, Ishkhanyan, and Babayan to life imprisonment. Ghukasyan and Sahakyan received 20-year sentences, while others received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years.