Baku: On July 28, the Baku Court of Appeal continued judicial proceedings on the appeals filed by citizens of the Republic of Armenia-Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others-who were convicted by the Baku Military Court for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes resulting from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, including the preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and numerous other offenses.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the court session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov and attended by Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva, with Reserve Judge Ali Mammadov also participating. All individuals subject to appellate proceedings were provided with interpreters in Armenian and Russian, as well as defense counsel to ensure their right to a defense.
Representatives of the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, Head of Department at the State Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, attended the session. At the beginning of the proceedings, it was announced that employees of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan were present as observers.
The hearing proceeded with closing statements by the state prosecutors. Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova stated that evidence examined during the judicial investigation confirmed the participation of Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdyan, Levon Balayan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Erik Ghazaryan, and other defendants in the occupation of Azerbaijan's territories and various illegal activities. The prosecutors asserted that the credible evidence gathered confirmed that the conclusions reached by the court of first instance were lawful and well-founded.
Abbas Abbasli emphasized that the conviction rendered by the court of first instance complied with national legislation and international law, with the verdict based on specific actions and established facts related to each defendant. The state prosecutor requested that the court dismiss the appeals and uphold the conviction of the Baku Military Court.
The judge announced the conclusion of the closing statements, allowing the defense the right to rebuttal. The defense counsel for Bako Sahakyan requested the court to overturn the verdict and acquit his client, while Sahakyan himself deferred his right to rebuttal to the next session. Similarly, Arayik Harutyunyan's defense attorney requested acquittal, with Harutyunyan rejecting the charges against him.
The next court session is scheduled for July 31. Under 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 varying sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years' imprisonment.