Baku: On July 24, the Baku Court of Appeal continued hearings 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 of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the court session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating in the panel, while Judge Ali Mammadov served as the reserve judge. The court ensured that the appellants were provided with interpreters in the languages they understand - Armenian and Russian - as well as legal counsel to guarantee their right to defense.

The hearing was also attended by representatives of the victims and prosecutors representing the state prosecution, 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 court session continued with statements by prosecutors defending the public prosecution. Abbas Abbasli highlighted several criminal acts committed by the Armenian armed forces during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, while Anar Alakbarov presented evidence on numerous crimes committed in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Sevinj Gasimova referred to evidence against Arkadi Ghukasyan, noting the unfounded nature of his appeal. The prosecutors stated that all evidence had been examined comprehensively in the first instance court, confirmed by testimonies, forensic opinions, material evidence, and documents.

The prosecution characterized the appeals as unfounded, with the next court hearing scheduled for July 27. According to the verdict issued by the Baku Military Court on February 5, 2026, several defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, while others received terms ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison.