“The Verdict Was Decided Long Ago”: POW Davit Ishkhanyan Says Baku Appeal Was a Political Trial

2 days ago
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Davit Ishkhanyan, the former speaker of Artsakh’s National Assembly who is being held in Baku, said the outcome of his appeal had been decided before the judges began deliberations, describing the case as a political prosecution rather than a legitimate judicial process.

In a message released after the latest court hearing, Ishkhanyan said Azerbaijan’s Court of Appeal had formally withdrawn to consider its ruling, but argued that the panel had no real role in determining the outcome.

“The verdict was decided long ago,” he said. “The judges will simply announce and publish what has already been determined.”

Ishkhanyan said the defendants delivered forceful closing statements despite repeated interruptions from prosecutors and the court. He said several defendants were prevented from completing their remarks, including him.

Still, he said they used the proceedings to challenge accusations they view as fabricated and to defend the history, dignity and rights of the Armenian people.

“We all understand that this is a political trial,” Ishkhanyan said. “It could not be anything else.”

He argued that the prosecution may obtain the verdict it seeks, but has failed to prevail morally or politically. According to Ishkhanyan, the defendants successfully pushed back against what he described as distorted history, false evidence and claims aimed at humiliating Armenians.

Ishkhanyan said one defense attorney warned those involved in the case that they would one day be ashamed before their descendants. During the appeal, he added, the attorney urged the judges not to further damage the court’s integrity.

The former parliamentary speaker also criticized the lack of independent media access to the proceedings. He questioned why international and Armenian journalists, including reporters from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service, had not entered the courtroom to document how the defendants were being prosecuted.

“We have waited for nearly two years for journalists to appear in the courtroom and show the world who is being tried, why they are being tried and how they are being tried,” he said.

Ishkhanyan also disclosed that he asked the court on July 17 to end the criminal proceedings and withdraw the charges in light of the political situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The request was rejected immediately.

At the final hearing on July 31, he said he again urged the judges to consult with the officials responsible for the case and consider ending the prosecution as a step toward the future.

He cited the sensitive relationship between the two countries, the interests of their peoples and the role of international actors in the peace process.

“What they decide is another matter,” Ishkhanyan said. “But such a proposal has been made.”

He also alleged that defense lawyers had not received several central case documents during nearly two years of proceedings, including the indictment, the prosecution’s final conclusions and the written verdict issued by the trial court.

Ishkhanyan said the defense was continuing through Azerbaijan’s legal system to preserve the option of taking the case to an international court.