On July 17, at the Baku Court of Appeals, the court hearing continued regarding the appeals of Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasian, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who were convicted by the Baku Military Court for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and many other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
According to Medianews.az, at the court session held with the participation of judges Elmar Rahimov as the chairman, Emin Mehdiyev, and Mehriban Garayeva (reserve judge Ali Mammadov) of the Baku Court of Appeals, each of the accused subjects of the appeal trial was provided with an interpreter in the languages they understand — Armenian and Russian — as well as lawyers to ensure their defense.
Representatives of the injured parties and prosecutors defending the state prosecution took part in the court session — Abbas Abbasli, head of the department for the defense of the state prosecution of the General Prosecutor's Office, and prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova from the same department.
Initially, the defense counsel for the accused Madat Babayan spoke. He requested the court to annul the verdict dated February 5, 2026, and to acquit the accused whose rights he protects.
Then the accused Madat Babayan, speaking, stated that he agreed with the position of his defense counsel and did not consider himself guilty.
Afterwards, the floor was given to the defense counsel of the accused Arayik Harutyunyan. The defense presented their arguments within the framework of the appeal to the court.
Following that, representatives of the injured parties — Shaig Huseynov, Arzu Javadov, Ali Ahmadov, and Elmira Ismayilova — spoke.
They stated that the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated February 5, 2026, is lawful and well-founded, and that the charges against the accused, supported by photo, video, and other evidence presented during the court investigation, are fully confirmed. The representatives emphasized the unfounded nature of the appeals and asked the court to uphold the verdict without alteration.
With this, the statements by the accused, their defense, and the representatives of the injured parties concluded.
Subsequently, the defense, including Davit Ishkhanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and David Manukyan, submitted motions at the court session.
Abbas Abbasli, the head of the department for the defense of the state prosecution of the General Prosecutor's Office, who represents the state prosecution, commented on the submitted motions.
A recess was announced in the court to consider the motions. After the recess, the court resumed and announced its decisions. According to these decisions, the motions were partially granted.
The next court session will be held on July 21.
It should be recalled that according to the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated February 5, 2026, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Arkadi Gukasian and Bako Sahakyan received 20 years, Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan 19 years, Garik Martirosyan 18 years, Davit Allahverdyan and Levon Balayan 16 years, and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Gazaryan were sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.