Court of Appeal continues hearings on appeals filed by Armenian citizens VIDEO
Baku, July 10, AZERTAC
On July 10, 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, Arkadi Ghukasyan, who had begun his statement at the previous session, was given the floor. Continuing his remarks, he stated that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
The defense counsel of the accused Vasili Beglaryan then addressed the court, requesting that the February 5, 2026 verdict be overturned and that his client be acquitted.
The accused Vasili Beglaryan, who spoke next, also stated that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
Counsel for Bako Sahakyan subsequently addressed the court, requesting that his client be acquitted. Another lawyer representing Bako Sahakyan asked the court to overturn the February 5, 2026 verdict, acquit his client, and uphold the appeal.
In his statement, Bako Sahakyan also said that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him in the criminal case.
The next court hearing is scheduled for July 14.
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.
Other news in this section
