The court hearing on the appeals filed by Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, 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, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on June 23 at the Baku Court of Appeal, APA reports.
At the court session, presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating (reserve judge Ali Mammadov), each of the individuals involved in the criminal case under appellate proceedings was provided with interpreters in languages they understand — Armenian and Russian — as well as defense lawyers to ensure their right to defense.
Representatives of the victims and prosecutors representing the state prosecution — Abbas Abbasli, head of a department of the Prosecutor General’s Office Directorate for Public Prosecution, and prosecutors of the same department Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova — participated in the hearing.
First, defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan was given the floor to continue his defense statement. Continuing the remarks he began at the court hearing held a week earlier, he expressed his views. L. Mnatsakanyan asked the court to take into account the video materials presented by the prosecution and the facts cited by it when making its decision. He stated that he does not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
Afterward, the lawyer defending the rights of defendant Erik Ghazaryan delivered a statement. The lawyer said that his client had filed an appeal and that he supported it. Speaking afterward, Erik Ghazaryan stated that he does not consider himself guilty and confirmed the position voiced by his defense counsel.
Then the lawyer of defendant Garik Martirosyan stated that it was necessary to mitigate the charges brought against his client.
Another defense lawyer representing him also requested that the sentence imposed on G. Martirosyan be reduced and that some articles be removed from the indictment.
Defendant Garik Martirosyan then addressed the court. He stated that he does not consider himself guilty.
The lawyer of defendant Levon Balayan asked the court to issue an acquittal verdict regarding the person whose rights he is defending.
Levon Balayan said that he agreed with the statement made by his defense counsel.
The lawyer defending the rights of defendant Gurgen Stepanyan asked the court to overturn the conviction against him and issue an acquittal verdict. Gurgen Stepanyan stated that he agreed with his lawyer’s remarks and noted that he does not consider himself guilty.
The next court hearing will be held on June 30.
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 received 20-year prison terms; Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan 19 years; Garik Martirosyan 18 years; Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan 16 years; while Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.
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