On July 10, the Baku Court of Appeal continued hearing the appeals filed by Armenian citizens, including 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 planning and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, the forcible seizure of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, APA reports.
The court session was held under the chairmanship of Judge Elmar Rahimov of the Baku Court of Appeal, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating (reserve judge Ali Mammadov). Each of the persons subject to the criminal appeal proceedings was provided with an interpreter in the language they understood—Armenian and Russian—as well as legal counsel to ensure their defense.
Representatives of the victims and the prosecutors representing the state prosecution—Abbas Abbasli, head of a department of the General Prosecutor's Office's Department for Public Prosecution, and department prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova—also attended the hearing.
At the beginning of the hearing, defendant Arkadi Ghukasyan, who had started his statement at the previous hearing, was given the floor. Continuing his statement, he said that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
The defense lawyer for defendant Vasili Beglaryan then addressed the court, requesting that the court acquit his client and overturn the verdict issued on February 5, 2026.
Vasili Beglaryan also stated that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.
The defense lawyer for defendant Bako Sahakyan then requested that the court acquit his client.
Another lawyer representing Bako Sahakyan asked the court to overturn the February 5, 2026 verdict, acquit his client, and satisfy the appeal filed on his behalf.
During his statement, Bako Sahakyan 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.
Under the Baku Military Court's verdict of 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 Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years' imprisonment.
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