Baku court hears new arguments in Armenian defendants' appeals Defense Seeks Acquittals / PHOTO

The Baku Court of Appeals on July 3 continued hearings on appeals filed by Armenian nationals Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan and others against their convictions by the Baku Military Court.

The defendants were convicted 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 violent seizure of power and numerous other offenses committed as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, AZERTAC reports.

The hearing was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva serving on the panel. Alternate Judge Ali Mammadov also participated. Each appellant was provided with interpretation in Armenian and Russian, as well as legal counsel to ensure the right to defense.

Representatives of the victims and the state prosecution, including Abbas Abbasli, Head of the State Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, together with prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova, attended the proceedings.

The court announced that it had received written comments from defendant Davit Ishkhanyan regarding the minutes of a previous hearing. In accordance with legal procedures, the comments were translated, distributed to the parties and added to the case file.

State prosecutors noted that, under Article 51.7 of the Criminal Procedure Code, written comments on court session minutes must be examined and either accepted if substantiated or rejected if found to be unfounded. The prosecution argued that if the defense's claims of discrepancies between the written record and the audio recording were confirmed, the comments should be accepted; otherwise, they should be dismissed. Representatives of the victims supported the prosecution's position.

Following deliberations, the judicial panel ruled that the defense's written comments would be included in the case file. The court stated that it had found no inconsistencies in the official minutes but considered it lawful and justified to attach the defense's observations to the case materials.

Defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan then informed the court that he wished to submit a motion, with the presiding judge stating that he would be given the opportunity to do so.

Davit Ishkhanyan thanked the court for its decision before reiterating, as he had during the previous hearing, that he did not consider himself guilty.

Defense counsel for David Babayan argued that his client's appeal was fully justified and requested that the court overturn the conviction and acquit him. Following a recess, Ishkhanyan's motion was presented through his defense counsel to the court interpreter.

Babayan also addressed the court, stating that he did not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him.

The next hearing has been scheduled for July 7.

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 received 20-year prison terms; Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years; Garik Martirosyan to 18 years; Davit Allahverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Gazaryan to 15 years' imprisonment.