Former Artsakh leaders appeal convictions in Azerbaijan, reject charges

Former Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Arkady Ghukasyan told the Baku Court of Appeal on Friday that he rejects the charges against him, as the court continued hearing appeals filed by former Artsakh military and political leaders.

The July 10 hearing involved appeals from former Artsakh Presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army commander Lt. Gen. Levon Mnatsakanyan and others.

Addressing the court, Ghukasyan said he did not accept the charges and maintained his innocence.

Sahakyan's defense lawyer asked the court to acquit his client. Another defense attorney urged the court to overturn the Feb. 5, 2026, verdict, acquit the defendant and grant the appeal. Sahakyan also told the court that he rejects the charges against him.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 14.

The Artsakh leaders have consistently denied the charges against them as fabricated.

Under the Feb. 5 verdict, Ghukasyan and Sahakyan were each sentenced to 20 years in prison. Azerbaijani law prohibits the imposition of life sentences on defendants who are 65 or older. Harutyunyan, Ishkhanyan, Babayan, Mnatsakanyan and former Deputy Defense Army Commander Maj. Gen. Davit Manukyan were sentenced to life imprisonment.