Free Armenian Hostages: Baku Court starts appeal hearings for  detained Armenian PoWs

ArmInfo.  The Baku Court of Appeals has begun hearing appeals filed by the defense of Armenian prisoners of war held in an Azerbaijani prison.

According to the press service of the Free Armenian Hostages  initiative, the initial appellate hearing took place on June 2,  chaired by Judge Elmar Rahimov. The proceedings involve former  Artsakh presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Bako  Sahakyan, alongside former parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan,  former foreign minister David Babayan, and former general Levon  Mnatsakanyan, among others.

"According to available information, Armenian and Russian  interpreters were provided, and defense lawyers were present to  ensure legal representation," the initiative reported. "The defense  filed motions to clarify the complaints, question witnesses, and  involve a representative from the Azerbaijani Human Rights  Commissioner. The prosecution opposed several of these motions,  arguing that sufficient evidence had already been reviewed and that  the new demands lacked legal merit."

It is noted that following a review of the procedural requests, the  court ruled to partially grant the defense's motions and scheduled  the next appellate hearing for June 9. These appeals seek to contest  the February 5, 2026, verdict of the Baku Military Court, which had  imposed life and long-term prison sentences on the detainees. "We  continue to call for the protection of the fundamental rights and  freedoms of all Armenian prisoners of war," the initiative concluded.