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 Azeri-Press News Agency, the court session, presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov and joined by Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva, included interpreters for the appellants' respective spoken languages-Armenian and Russian-and 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, and department prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova, were also in attendance.
Employees from the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan were present as observers at the beginning of the session. The hearing proceeded with closing statements by the state prosecutors, who asserted that the evidence examined confirmed the involvement of Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdyan, Levon Balayan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan, along with other defendants, in the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and participation in illegal activities and aggressive warfare.
State prosecutors argued that the evidence supported the conclusion of the court of first instance and that the appeals were without merit. Abbas Abbasli emphasized that the conviction adhered to national and international law, with the verdict based on comprehensive examination of evidence and the specific actions of each defendant.
The defense was then given the opportunity for rebuttal. Bako Sahakyan's counsel requested an appeal grant and acquittal, while Sahakyan himself deferred his rebuttal to the next session. Arayik Harutyunyan's defense also sought acquittal, and Harutyunyan denied the charges against him. The next session is scheduled for July 31.
The Baku Military Court's verdict dated February 5, 2026, sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan to life imprisonment, with varying sentences for other defendants.