Baku: In a significant legal development, the Baku Military Court announced the verdict in the trial of multiple Armenian citizens accused of various serious crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and terrorism, stemming from Armenia's military actions against Azerbaijan. The court proceedings, which commenced on January 17 of last year, culminated with the announcement of the verdict.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the trial involved the examination of charges against Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. The accused were implicated in planning and conducting aggressive war, genocide, and other severe violations of international and Azerbaijani law. The court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev and his colleagues, ensured that each defendant had access to legal representation and language interpretation.

The court's decision highlighted that no punishment would be assigned to some defendants, such as Arayik Harutyunyan and others, for certain charges due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. However, several individuals were found guilty of a range of crimes, including genocide and aggressive war. Notably, Harutyunyan, Mnatsakanyan, Manukyan, Ishkhanyan, and Babayan received life sentences for their roles in these offenses.

The charges against many defendants were reclassified, with some articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code being removed. Despite this, the court found ample evidence to convict several individuals. Arkadi Gukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, due to age-related legal considerations, received 20-year sentences, with portions to be served in high-security facilities.

The trial addressed crimes committed during the Armenian aggression, involving military, state officials, and other entities. The defendants, charged under numerous articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, faced accusations of planning and executing acts of war, terrorism, and other severe offenses against the Azerbaijani state and people.

This landmark verdict underscores the ongoing legal and political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reflecting the broader historical conflict between the two nations. The Azerbaijani legal system's handling of the case demonstrates its commitment to addressing war-related crimes within its jurisdiction.