Armenian defendants seek acquittal as Baku appeal hearings continue PHOTO

The Baku Court of Appeal on June 30 continued hearing appeals filed by a group of Armenian nationals, 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 stemming from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The defendants were found guilty of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including planning and waging an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, the forcible seizure of power, and numerous other offenses, AZERTAC reports.

The hearing was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov of the Baku Court of Appeal, alongside Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva, with Ali Mammadov serving as reserve judge.

Each defendant was provided with an interpreter in Armenian and Russian, as well as legal counsel to ensure their right to defense. Representatives of the victims and prosecutors from the General Prosecutor's Office, including Abbas Abbasli, Anar Alakbarov and Sevinc Gasimova, also participated in the proceedings.

At the outset of the hearing, the court announced that one of the two defense lawyers representing defendants Madat Babayan and David Babayan was unable to attend due to health reasons. In accordance with legal requirements, new state-appointed defense lawyers were assigned and introduced to the court. Both defendants stated that they had no objections to the newly appointed counsel.

During the hearing, Davit Ishkhanyan informed the court that he wished to submit written comments after reviewing the transcripts of previous hearings.

The presiding judge noted that reviewing the court records was Ishkhanyan's procedural right but explained that the comments had to be submitted in writing and translated into Azerbaijani before they could be accepted by the court. The translated documents would also be provided to the prosecution to ensure equality between the parties during the adversarial proceedings.

Ishkhanyan requested permission to submit his notes through an interpreter, and the court said the necessary arrangements would be made.

David Babayan also addressed the court, requesting an opportunity to meet with his newly appointed defense lawyer.

The hearing then proceeded with oral arguments presented by defense counsel.

Lawyers representing Davit Allahverdiyan, Melikset Pashayan and Davit Ishkhanyan each requested that the Baku Military Court's verdict of February 5, 2026, be overturned and that their clients be acquitted.

Allahverdiyan told the court he fully supported the appeal submitted by his lawyer.

Pashayan likewise endorsed his defense counsel's arguments and stated that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.

Following the defense submissions, the court declared a recess to allow the defendants to hold confidential consultations with their lawyers.

After the hearing resumed, Ishkhanyan filed a motion requesting that duplicate copies of his personally prepared appeal and petition be included in the case file. He again stated that he rejected the charges against him.

The next hearing has been scheduled for July 3.

Under the Baku Military Court's verdict issued 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 were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18 years, Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, while Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan were each sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.

By Vafa Guliyeva