BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. On June 23, the Baku
Court of Appeal continued hearings on the appeals filed by citizens
of the Republic of Armenia – Araik Harutyunyan, Arkady Ghukasyan,
Bako Sahakyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan,
and others. They were convicted by the Baku Military Court of
crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes committed as a result
of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including the
preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of
the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism,
violent seizure of power, and numerous other crimes.
The court session, presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov of the
Baku Court of Appeal, with judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban
Garayeva participating (reserve judge — Ali Mammadov), provided
each defendant with interpreters fluent in the languages they speak
– Armenian and Russian – as well as lawyers to ensure their
defense.
The session was also attended by representatives of the victims
and state prosecutors – Abbas Abbasli, Head of the Department for
Maintaining State Prosecution at the General Prosecutor’s Office,
along with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova from the
same department.
The session began with Levon Mnatsakanyan continuing his defense
speech, which he had started a week earlier. He asked the court to
take into account the video materials and facts presented by the
prosecution when making its decision. He stated that he does not
plead guilty to the charges brought against him.
Next, the lawyer defending Erik Kazaryan spoke. The lawyer
informed the court that his client had filed an appeal and fully
supported it. Erik Kazaryan, who spoke afterward, stated that he
does not consider himself guilty and confirmed the position
presented by his defense counsel.
This was followed by the lawyer for Garik Martirosyan, who
requested the mitigation of the charges against his client. Another
defense lawyer for G. Martirosyan also asked the court to reduce
the punishment and exclude certain articles from the charges.
Garik Martirosyan then addressed the court, stating that he does
not plead guilty.
The lawyer for Levon Balayan requested an acquittal for his
client. Levon Balayan expressed agreement with his lawyer’s
statement.
The lawyer defending Gurgen Stepanyan asked the court to
overturn the conviction and issue an acquittal. G. Stepanyan agreed
with his lawyer’s position and stated that he does not consider
himself guilty.
The next court session is scheduled for June 30.
According to the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated
February 5, 2026, Araik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David
Manukyan, David Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to
life imprisonment. Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were
sentenced to 20 years, Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan to 19
years, Garik Martirosyan to 18 years, David Alaverdyan and Levon
Balayan to 16 years, and Vasily Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and
Erik Kazaryan to 15 years each.
