Appeal Hearings Continue in Baku for Former Artsakh Officials

(Horizon Media) — The Baku Court of Appeal on June 16 continued hearings in the appeals filed by former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and other Armenian detainees convicted in politically motivated proceedings.

The appeals relate to a case in which the Baku Military Court issued guilty verdicts, sentencing the former Artsakh officials and military figures to prison terms ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment, according to APA.

The session was presided over by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva also on the panel. Ali Mammadov served as the alternate judge.

According to reports, the defendants were provided with Armenian and Russian interpreters, as well as legal counsel, as part of the proceedings.

At the opening of the hearing, the presiding judge noted that the defense had been granted additional time during the previous session to prepare its arguments and asked whether it was ready to proceed. Defense representatives confirmed they were prepared.

The court then continued hearing defense presentations in the order in which the appeals had been filed.

During a recess, Davit Ishkhanyan met privately with his lawyer. With the assistance of an interpreter, he also reviewed the minutes of the May 26 court session.

Levon Mnatsakanyan’s lawyer later presented arguments before the court, requesting that Mnatsakanyan be acquitted on exonerating grounds. Mnatsakanyan also addressed the court, stating that he supported his lawyer’s arguments and adding further remarks of his own.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.