Baku court hears appeals of Artsakh leaders

The Baku Court of Appeals on Tuesday opened hearings on appeals filed by former Artsakh military and political leaders who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Azerbaijan on fabricated and politically motivated charges.

The proceedings, presided over by judge Elmar Rahimov, involve former Artsakh Presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan, as well as parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former foreign minister Davit Babayan and former military commanders Levon Mnatsakanyan and Davit Manukyan. Harutyunyan and several others were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Ghukasyan and Sahakyan received 20-year terms due to age restrictions under Azerbaijani law.

Other Artsakh officials and civilians received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years. Former state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced to 20 years in jail, declined to appeal the ruling.

Azerbaijan accuses the group of crimes including “aggressive war,” “terrorism,” and “genocide.” Human rights advocates have criticized the trials as politically driven and in violation of international law.