BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 3. The Baku Court of
Appeals continued hearing the appeals filed by Armenian nationals
Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit
Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others against
their convictions by the Baku Military Court for crimes against
peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and waging
of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs
of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, the violent seizure of
power, and numerous other offenses committed as a result of
Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov of the Baku
Court of Appeals, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva
on the panel (alternate judge Ali Mammadov). Each appellant was
provided with interpretation in Armenian and Russian, as well as
legal counsel, to ensure the right to defense.
The hearing was attended by representatives of the victims and
the state prosecution, including Abbas Abbasli, Head of the State
Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, together
with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova from the same
department.
The court announced that written comments submitted by defendant
Davit Ishkhanyan regarding the court session minutes had been
received. In accordance with the law, the comments were translated,
copies were provided to the court and the parties to the
proceedings, and they were added to the case file.
The state prosecutors noted that, under Article 51.7 of the
Criminal Procedure Code, written comments concerning the court
session minutes must be examined by the court. If found to be
well-founded, they must be accepted; otherwise, they must be
rejected. The prosecution argued that if the defense's claim
regarding discrepancies between the written minutes and the audio
recording was confirmed by the recording, the comments should be
accepted; otherwise, they should be rejected. On this basis, the
prosecution requested the court to rule in accordance with the
law.
The representatives of the victims supported the prosecution's
position and shared the same view regarding the written
comments.
The judicial panel then retired to deliberate on the matter
concerning the court session minutes.
Upon returning, the panel ruled that the defense's written
comments would be added to the case file. The court noted that it
had found no inconsistencies in the minutes but considered it
lawful and justified to include the defense's comments in the case
materials.
Defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan then addressed the court, stating
that he wished to submit a motion. The presiding judge said he
would be given an appropriate opportunity to do so.
Speaking afterward, Davit Ishkhanyan thanked the court for its
decision. He then reiterated, as he had at the previous hearing,
that he did not consider himself guilty.
The defense counsel for David Babayan subsequently addressed the
court, arguing that the defendant's appeal was fully justified. The
lawyer requested that the court overturn the conviction against
Babayan and acquit him.
After the recess, defendant Davit Ishkhanyan's motion was
presented to the interpreter through his defense counsel.
Speaking next, defendant David Babayan stated that he did not
consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 7.
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' imprisonment; Madat Babayan and Melikset
Pashayan to 19 years; Garik Martirosyan to 18 years; Davit
Allahverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan,
Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Gazaryan to 15 years' imprisonment.
