Baku Court Rejects Appeals by Former Artsakh Leaders

BAKU — An Azerbaijani appeals court has rejected appeals filed by former political and military leaders of Artsakh, leaving the lower court’s ruling unchanged, according to Azerbaijan’s APA news agency.

Under the decision issued by a panel chaired by Judge Elmar Rahimov, the February 5, 2026 ruling of the Baku Military Court remains unchanged with respect to the appeals.

In February, the Baku Military Court sentenced members of Artsakh’s former political and military leadership to life imprisonment or lengthy prison terms.

Azerbaijani authorities have charged them under a number of serious criminal statutes, including alleged crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, the violent seizure of power, and other offenses.

In June, Davit Ishkhanyan, former Speaker of the Artsakh National Assembly, said in an audio message from prison that the appeal was merely a formality and that they had no expectations from the Azerbaijani justice system.

He said the purpose of filing the appeal was simply to exhaust available legal remedies and clear the way for taking the case to an international court.