Baku court reviews appeals in war crimes conviction case Armenian defendants challenge verdicts

The Baku Court of Appeal has continued hearings on appeals filed by several Armenian citizens previously convicted by the Baku Military Court on a range of serious charges, as proceedings resumed with participation from judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and interpreters. The session included procedural discussions on document access, defense preparations, and requests for acquittal before the court adjourned until the next hearing. 

Armenian citizens, Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others were  convicted for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes committed as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including planning and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, and numerous other offenses.

The hearing was held under the chairmanship of Judge Elmar Rahimov of the Baku Court of Appeal, with Judges Emin Mammadov and Mehriban Garayeva also sitting on the panel (reserve judge Ali Mammadov). Interpreters in Armenian and Russian were provided for all defendants, alongside defense lawyers, AZERTAC reports.

Representatives of victims also attended the proceedings, as well as state prosecutors Abbas Abbasli, head of the Department for State Prosecution Support at the Prosecutor General’s Office, and prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova. Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office observed the trial.

At the beginning of the session, several defendants were provided with translations of documents they had requested at the previous hearing. David Ishkhanyan stated that he wished to review the transcript of the May 26 hearing. The presiding judge responded that requests to review court transcripts must be submitted formally to the court and that there were no restrictions on access to documents.

The floor was then given to the defense. However, except for Harutyunyan’s lawyer, the remaining defense attorneys requested an adjournment to prepare their submissions. David Manukyan and David Ishkhanyan, however, requested that the proceedings continue. A recess was subsequently declared.

During the break, some of the defendants held confidential meetings with their lawyers. After the recess, the presiding judge announced that the court had granted requests for confidential consultations and created the necessary conditions for them. It was also stated that appropriate conditions would be provided for those wishing to address the court, while others would be given time to prepare their statements.

Subsequently, Harutyunyan’s defense lawyer, Ainar Mammadov, requested that the court issue an acquittal for his client. Harutyunyan stated that he agreed with his lawyer’s position.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 16.

To note, under the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated February 5, 2026, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, David Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year sentences, Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan received 19-year terms, Garik Martirosyan was sentenced to 18 years, David Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, while Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Kazaryan were sentenced to 15 years.

By Vafa Guliyeva