Baku court sentences Armenia’s Arayik Harutyunyan to life imprisonment Photo/Updated

The Baku Military Court has handed down a life sentence to Armenian citizen Arayik Harutyunyan, as part of an ongoing trial of Armenian nationals accused of serious crimes. 

Earlier, prosecutors in the case had recommended life imprisonment, and the court ultimately upheld that request, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

During the open hearing on February 5 in the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia— Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others – accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and rules of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, the court is delivering the final verdict regarding the accused individuals.

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Sentences are being read out on February 5 in Baku in criminal cases against several Armenian citizens, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadiy Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of crimes against peace and humanity and war crimes. 

The charges include the preparation and waging of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, and the violent seizure and retention of power, Caliber.Az reports per state media. 

The hearing is taking place at the Baku Military Court and is presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev on the panel and Gunel Samadova serving as reserve judge.

Each defendant was provided with an interpreter in the language they speak, as well as legal counsel for their defence.

The session is attended by the accused, their defenders, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, prosecutors defending the state accusation, as well as Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers Executive Office.