Baku Court hears appeals by Armenian citizens convicted of war crimes PHOTO

The Baku Court of Appeal on July 17 continued hearings on appeals filed by Armenian citizens convicted by the Baku Military Court of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes and other offences linked to Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The appeals were filed by Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan and others, who were convicted by the Baku Military Court of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via state media. 

The hearing was chaired by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva on the panel and Judge Ali Mammadov serving as the reserve judge. The appellants were provided with interpreters in Armenian and Russian, as well as legal counsel.

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 prosecutors of the department Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova.

During the hearing, the defence attorney for Madat Babayan asked the court to overturn the Baku Military Court’s February 5, 2026 verdict and acquit his client. Babayan said he agreed with his lawyer’s position and did not consider himself guilty.

The defence attorney for Arayik Harutyunyan also presented arguments as part of the appeal.

Representatives of the victims — Shaig Huseynov, Arzu Javadov, Ali Ahmadov and Elmira Ismayilova — argued that the February 5 verdict was lawful and justified, and that the charges had been fully supported by photo, video and other evidence examined during the trial. They asked the court to reject the appeals and uphold the verdict.

With this, the court concluded hearing statements of the defendants, their defence counsel, and representatives of the victims.

The defence later submitted several motions, including those involving Davit Ishkhanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan. Prosecutor Abbas Abbasli, representing the state prosecution, commented on the motions.

After an adjournment to consider the motions, the court announced that it had partially granted them.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 21.

Under the Baku Military Court’s February 5, 2026 verdict, 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; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan 15 years.

By Sabina Mammadli