On July 28, the Baku Court of Appeal continued its review of appeals filed by former Republic of Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, former National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and other defendants.

At the start of the hearing, it was announced that representatives of the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan were also attending the proceedings as observers, APA reported.

The hearing then continued with closing arguments by the state prosecutors.

Prosecutors Alekberov and Gasimova argued that the evidence collected in the case confirmed the legality and validity of the first-instance court's findings, while maintaining that the arguments presented in the appeals had not been substantiated.

The head of a division within the Prosecutor General's Office responsible for supporting public prosecutions, Abbasli, then addressed the court. He stated that the guilty verdict issued by the first-instance court fully complied with both national legislation and the generally recognized principles and norms of international law.

The prosecution asked the court to reject the appeals and uphold the guilty verdict issued by the Baku Military Court without modification.

The presiding judge then declared the judicial debate concluded, after which the defense was granted the right of reply in accordance with the law.

The first to exercise that right was Bako Sahakyan's lawyer, who asked the court to uphold the appeal, overturn the first-instance verdict and acquit his client.

The right of reply was then given to Sahakyan, who said he wished to exercise that right at the next court hearing.

The court then heard from the lawyer representing defendant Arayik Harutyunyan, who requested an acquittal for his client. Harutyunyan also exercised his right of reply, stating that he does not accept the charges brought against him.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for July 31.

The Baku court sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.

Former Republic of Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Life sentences were also handed down to former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former First Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and former National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan. Former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were each sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years in prison, Garik Martirosyan to 18 years, Davit Alahverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasily Beglaryan to 15 years in prison.