Azerbaijani court rejects Armenian convict's appeal as unfounded PHOTO

24 July 2026 20:12

An Azerbaijani court has dismissed as unfounded the appeal filed by Armenian national Arkadi Ghukasyan, who was convicted by the Baku Military Court on charges including crimes against humanity, genocide, terrorism and several other offences.

During the hearing, Sevinj Gasimova, prosecutor representing the state, addressed the charges against Arkadi Ghukasyan, stating that the evidence presented in the case did not support his appeal, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The prosecution maintained that the trial court had examined the criminal case comprehensively, fully and objectively, with its findings supported by victim and witness testimony, forensic examinations, material evidence, official documents, crime scene inspection records and other evidence contained in the case file. Prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the appeals as unfounded.

The Baku Court of Appeal continues hearings on appeals filed by a group of Armenian nationals convicted on charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, genocide, terrorism, financing terrorism and other offences linked to Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The latest hearing was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva serving on the panel, while Judge Ali Mammadov acted as the reserve judge. The appellants were provided with interpreters in Armenian and Russian, as well as legal counsel to ensure their right to defence.

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 prosecutor of the department Anar Alakbarov.

The court session continued with statements by prosecutors defending the public prosecution.

Abbas Abbasli brought to the court's attention several criminal facts committed by the Armenian armed forces during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020.

He also mentioned that the appeal of accused Arayik Harutyunyan was groundless, citing evidence of his role in a criminal organisation created and supported by Armenia.

Prosecutor Anar Alakbarov presented evidence related to crimes allegedly committed in Azerbaijan's formerly occupied territories. He also referred to what he described as evidence of Bako Sahakyan's criminal activities, arguing that Sahakyan's appeal was unfounded.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 27.

According to the Baku Military Court's verdict issued on Feb. 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, while Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced 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.