Baku: On July 17, the Baku Court of Appeal proceeded with the hearings concerning appeals filed by several Armenian citizens, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan, among others, who were convicted by the Baku Military Court for crimes against peace and humanity, such as aggressive war preparations, genocide, and terrorism.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, these proceedings are part of the legal aftermath of Armenia's military actions against Azerbaijan.

The session was led by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva as part of the panel, and Judge Ali Mammadov serving as the reserve judge. The court ensured that interpreters in Armenian and Russian, alongside legal counsel, were available to the appellants to uphold their right to defense.

Present at the hearing were representatives of the victims and state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, Head of the Department for the Maintenance of Public Prosecution in the Courts of Appeal at the Prosecutor General's Office, along with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova.

The defense attorney for Madat Babayan began the session by requesting the court to overturn the February 5, 2026, verdict and acquit the accused. Following this, the defense attorney of Arayik Harutyunyan presented arguments supporting the appeal.

Victims' representatives Shaig Huseynov, Arzu Javadov, Ali Ahmadov, and Elmira Ismayilova countered by asserting that the original verdict was well-founded, supported by substantial evidence, and urged the court to maintain it.

Subsequently, the defense, including Davit Ishkhanyan and others, filed motions which were addressed by prosecutor Abbas Abbasli. The court adjourned briefly to deliberate on these motions.

Upon reconvening, the court decided to partially grant the motions, with the next hearing set for July 21.

The Baku Military Court's verdict on February 5, 2026, handed life sentences to Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, while Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year sentences. Madat Babayan and several others received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years.