Baku: On July 10, 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, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva on the panel, and Judge Ali Mammadov serving as the reserve judge. The appellants were provided with interpreters in Armenian and Russian, as well as legal counsel to ensure their right to defense.

The hearing was 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, alongside prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova.

At the start of the hearing, Arkadi Ghukasyan, who had begun his statement at a previous session, continued his remarks, asserting his innocence regarding the charges. The defense counsel for the accused, Vasili Beglaryan, requested the court to overturn the February 5, 2026 verdict and acquit his client.

Vasili Beglaryan also maintained his innocence. Counsel for Bako Sahakyan similarly requested that his client be acquitted, and another lawyer for Sahakyan asked the court to overturn the 2026 verdict and uphold the appeal.

Bako Sahakyan stated that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges against him. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 14.

According to the verdict issued by the Baku Military Court on February 5, 2026, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year sentences; Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years; Garik Martirosyan to 18 years; Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan were sentenced to 15 years in prison.