Baku court upholds verdicts against Armenian citizens in appeal case UPDATED

The Baku Court of Appeal on August 6 continued reviewing 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 committed as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, as well as 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 crimes.

According to AZERTAC, the hearing was held under the chairmanship of Baku Court of Appeal Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva on the panel and Ali Mammadov serving as a reserve judge. Each defendant involved in the criminal appeal proceedings was provided with interpreters in languages they understand (Armenian and Russian), as well as defence attorneys. 

Representatives of victims, prosecutors supporting the state prosecution — including Abbas Abbasli, head of the department of the General Prosecutor's Office responsible for supporting state prosecution, and prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova — also attended the hearing.

Representatives of the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan participated in the proceedings as observers.

The court announced its decision on the appeals filed by the convicted individuals.

The ruling stated that the February 5, 2026 verdict of the Baku Military Court in the criminal case against Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan and Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan was left unchanged.

Under the Baku Military Court's verdict dated 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 sentences, 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 received 15-year prison terms.

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An open hearing on the appeals filed by Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan and others convicted by the Baku Military Court is continuing at the Baku Court of Appeal on August 6, Azertag reports.

The defendants were found guilty of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes committed as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, 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.

The review of the appeals was completed at the hearing on July 31, after which the judicial panel retired to deliberate.

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, while Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan received 19-year prison terms. Garik Martirosyan was sentenced to 18 years, Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years in prison.

By Jeyhun Aghazada