BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 14. On July 14, 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, it was recalled that at the
previous court session, the accused Bako Sahakyan began his
statement, but since the court was adjourned, he is set to continue
his statement today.
Afterwards, Bako Sahakyan continued his statement, voiced his
arguments, expressed his disagreement with the announced charges,
and requested the cancellation of the decision of the first
instance court.
The defense counsel of the accused, David Manukyan, then
addressed the court, requesting the court to acquit David
Manukyan.
David Manukyan, who spoke next, expressed gratitude to his
lawyers before presenting his defense arguments.
The next court hearing is scheduled for July 17.
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.
