BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 17. On July 17, 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.
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 of the department Anar Alakbarov and
Sevinj Gasimova.
At the beginning of the hearing, the defense attorney of the
accused Madat Babayan began his statement and requested the court
to cancel the verdict dated February 5, 2026, and to acquit the
accused.
The defense attorney of the accused Madat Babayan, who spoke
next, stated that he agreed with the position of his defense
attorney and did not consider himself guilty.
Afterwards, the defense attorney of the accused Arayik
Harutyunyan continued his statement, presenting its arguments to
the court within the framework of the appeal.
Then, the representatives of the victims – Shaig Huseynov, Arzu
Javadov, Ali Ahmadov and Elmira Ismayilova – delivered
statements.
They emphasized that the verdict of the Baku Military Court
dated February 5, 2026, was legal and justified, and that the
charges brought against the accused were fully confirmed by the
photo, video and other evidence presented during the court
investigation. The representatives stated that the appeals were
groundless and requested the court to uphold the verdict without
changing it.
With this, the court concluded hearing statements of the
defendants, their defense counsel, and representatives of the
victims.
Then, during the court session, the defense, including Davit
Ishkhanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan, submitted
motions.
The prosecutor defending the state prosecution, Abbas Abbasli,
Head of the Department for the Maintenance of Public Prosecution in
the Courts of Appeal at the Prosecutor General’s Office, commented
on the motions.
The court was adjourned to consider the motions.
After the adjournment, the court announced its decision to
partially grant the motions.
The next court hearing is scheduled for July 21.
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 were
sentenced to 20 years in prison; Madat Babayan and Melikset
Pashayan to 19 years; Garik Martirosyan to 18 years; Davit
Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan,
Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years in prison.
