Baku prosecutors seek sentences up to life imprisonment for Armenian nationals

Prosecutors  at Baku’s Military Court sought sentences up to life imprisonment for a group of Armenian nationals charged with crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism and forcible seizure of power. Defendants include Araik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan and others.

The prosecution said evidence showed Armenia’s military aggression targeted not only Azerbaijani forces but also civilian areas in multiple cities and districts. Prosecutors also moved to reclassify some counts to lesser charges and asked the court to maintain current restraints until the verdict takes legal effect.

According to the sentencing requests, Harutyunyan, Mnatsakanyan, Manukyan and Ishkhanyan face life terms (with sentences calculated from their 2023 detentions). Babayan also faces life; Arkady Gukasyan and Bako Saakyan — 20 years each (first 10 years in prison, remainder in a high-security facility); Pashayyan — 20 years; Martirosyan — 19 years; Allahverdyan — 18 years; Balayan — 17 years; Beglaryan, Stepanyan, Kazaryan — 16 years each. Prosecutors noted that under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, defendants who have reached 65 years of age by the time of judgment cannot be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Victims’ representatives said the defendants’ guilt was supported by case materials and witness testimony. The trial is scheduled to resume on 27 November.