On June 23, the Baku Court of Appeal continued hearings on the appeals filed by former Artsakh presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and others.

At the start of the session, Levon Mnatsakanyan was given the floor. He continued the defense statement he had begun a week earlier and presented his observations. Mnatsakanyan asked the court to take into account the videos submitted by the prosecution and the facts presented in them when reaching its decision. At the same time, he stated that he does not consider himself guilty of the charges brought against him, APA reported.

The lawyer representing Erik Ghazaryan then addressed the court. He said his client had filed an appeal and continued to stand by it. Erik Ghazaryan subsequently spoke himself, declaring that he does not consider himself guilty and supports his lawyer’s position.

One of the defense attorneys for Garik Martirosyan then argued that the charges against his client should be reduced. Martirosyan’s other lawyer also requested a lighter sentence and asked that several articles be removed from the indictment. Garik Martirosyan later addressed the court, stating that he does not recognize himself as guilty.

The lawyer for Levon Balayan asked the court to issue an acquittal for his client. Levon Balayan stated that he agrees with the position presented by his attorney.

The lawyer representing Gurgen Stepanyan requested that the court overturn the guilty verdict against his client and issue an acquittal. Gurgen Stepanyan said he agreed with his lawyer’s arguments and does not consider himself guilty.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for June 30.

Under a verdict issued by the Baku Military Court on February 5, 2026, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan and Davit 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 Vasily Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Erik Ghazaryan to 15 years in prison.