On June 16, the Baku Court of Appeal continued reviewing appeals filed by former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others convicted in what they describe as politically motivated cases.

The proceedings concern a case in which the Baku Military Court handed down guilty verdicts carrying sentences ranging from 20 years in prison to life imprisonment, according to APA.

The hearing was chaired by Judge Elmar Rahimov, with Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva participating. Ali Mammadov served as the alternate judge.

It was reported that each individual involved in the appeal proceedings was provided with interpreters in Armenian and Russian, languages known to them, as well as legal counsel to ensure their right to defense.

The presiding judge recalled that at the previous hearing the defense had been given time to prepare its arguments and asked whether it was ready to proceed. The defense responded that it was prepared.

The presiding judge stated that defense presentations would continue in the order in which the appeals had been submitted.

During a court recess, Ishkhanyan held a private meeting with his lawyer. In addition, with the assistance of an interpreter, he reviewed the minutes of the May 26 court session.

The floor was then given to Levon Mnatsakanyan’s lawyer for the defense presentation. In his remarks, the attorney asked the court to acquit Mnatsakanyan on exonerating grounds.

Levon Mnatsakanyan also addressed the court, stating that he supported the arguments presented by his lawyer and offering additional points of his own.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for June 23.

Several former Artsakh officials have received life or long-term prison sentences, and their appeals are now being considered by the Baku Court of Appeal.

Ruben Vardanyan was sentenced by a Baku court to 20 years in prison.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Life sentences were also imposed on former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former First Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Davit Babayan, and National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan. Former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were 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, while Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasil Beglaryan received 15-year prison terms.