BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 16. The hearing of
appeals filed by Armenian citizens convicted by the Baku Military
Court for crimes committed as a result of Armenia’s military
aggression against Azerbaijan continued at the Baku Court of Appeal
on June 16.
The defendants, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan,
Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan
and others, were previously convicted of crimes against peace and
humanity, war crimes, including planning and waging an aggressive
war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war,
terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and
numerous other offenses.
The hearing was held before a panel of judges chaired by Elmar
Rahimov, with Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating,
and Ali Mammadov serving as reserve judge. Each defendant was
provided with an interpreter in Armenian and Russian, as well as
legal counsel to ensure their right to defense.
Representatives of the victims and state prosecutors Abbas
Abbasli, head of a department at the Prosecutor General’s Office,
along with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova, also
attended the hearing.
The presiding judge recalled that time had been granted during
the previous session for those wishing to prepare their defense
arguments and asked whether the defense was ready to proceed.
The defense confirmed its readiness.
The court noted that defense statements would continue in the
order in which the appeals had been filed.
Defendant Davit Ishkhanyan requested a confidential meeting with
his lawyer. The motion was granted.
During a recess, Ishkhanyan met privately with his defense
counsel. He also reviewed the minutes of the May 26 court session
with the assistance of an interpreter.
Following the recess, the floor was given to the lawyer of
defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan. The defense attorney asked the court
to acquit his client on exonerating grounds.
Mnatsakanyan then addressed the court, stating that he supported
his lawyer’s arguments and presenting his own position.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
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
prison terms; Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan 19 years; Garik
Martirosyan 18 years; Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan 16
years; while Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan
were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.
