Former Artsakh parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by Baku’s military court, sent a message from prison saying that preliminary hearings on their appeals began on May 26 at the Baku Court of Appeal.
“We appealed the verdict of Baku’s military court on February 5, and the first court hearing has been scheduled for June 2. ‘Peace and trial’ — this is something very peculiar. It is a completely censored, controlled and retaliatory trial,” he said, according to Panorama.am .
“One of the important defense lawyers burst out yesterday during his speech, saying that we would be ashamed before future generations for organizing such a trial.
“It is a tragicomedy. The trial is being dragged out and synchronized with political processes.
“Back in January-February 2024, when certain officials communicated with us, they hinted and indirectly made us understand that you will remain here as long as Armenia’s authorities want. We were surprised — how could that be possible? How could our own authorities not want us to return immediately? But from today’s perspective everything is clear and understandable, and unfortunately it is indeed so.
“We have been here for three years. I must say that neither principles, nor sound judgment, nor strength of spirit and will have abandoned or betrayed us. And this will continue to be the case. We will continue the common path we adopted together,” Ishkhanyan said.
Using the opportunity, he congratulated the Armenian people on May 28, wishing them strength of spirit, will and unity.
Appeal hearings in the cases described by Armenian officials as fabricated proceedings against Armenian prisoners began in Baku on May 26. Appeals were accepted for review in the cases involving former Artsakh presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, former Artsakh parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and others. The case is being reviewed at the Baku Court of Appeal.
