The Baku Court of Appeal on July 28 continued hearings on the appeal filed by Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who were convicted by the Baku Military Court for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, planning and conducting an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, illegal seizure of power, and numerous other offenses linked to Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Operativ Media reports that during the session presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov alongside judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva (with alternate judge Ali Mammadov), each defendant was provided with defense counsel and interpreters in Armenian and Russian, languages they speak.

The hearing was attended by representatives of the victims as well as state prosecutors, including Abbas Abbasli, department head at the Prosecutor General's State Prosecution Support Directorate, and department prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova.

At the start of the session, it was announced that staff members from the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan were also attending as observers.

The proceedings continued with statements from the state prosecutors.

Prosecutors Anar Alakbarov and Sevinj Gasimova stated that evidence examined during the trial confirmed that Garik Martirosyan, Davit Allahverdiyan, Levon Balayan, Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan, alongside other defendants, actively participated in the occupation and retention of Azerbaijan's sovereign territories, carried out illegal activities, and took part in aggressive warfare as part of criminal groups formed and sponsored by Armenia.

The prosecutors noted that reliable evidence gathered in the case confirms the legality and validity of the lower court's findings, while the arguments raised in the appeals were unsubstantiated.

Abbas Abbasli, department head at the Prosecutor General's State Prosecution Support Directorate, subsequently stated that the lower court's verdict fully complies with national legislation as well as universally recognized principles and norms of international law.

He stressed that testimonies, expert opinions, records, physical evidence, documents, and video and photographic materials were evaluated comprehensively and in connection with one another, and that the verdict was rendered based on the specific actions of each defendant, their level of involvement in the charged crimes, and the established facts of the case.

The state prosecutor requested that the court dismiss the appeals and uphold the Baku Military Court's verdict without changes.

The presiding judge then declared closing arguments concluded, after which the defense exercised its statutory right of reply.

The defense attorney for defendant Bako Sahakyan spoke first, asking the court to grant the appeal, overturn the first-instance verdict, and acquit Sahakyan.

Addressing the court next, defendant Bako Sahakyan stated that he wished to exercise his right of reply at the next hearing.

The lawyer for defendant Arayik Harutyunyan then spoke, also requesting an acquittal for his client.

Exercising his right of reply, defendant Arayik Harutyunyan stated that he rejected all charges against him.

The court will resume its session on July 31.

Under the February 5, 2026 verdict of the Baku Military Court, 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 Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years; and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years.