Baku court starts considering appeal against Vagif Khachaturyan's sentence

The Baku Court of Appeal has held a preliminary hearing to consider the appeal against the verdict against Vagif Khachaturyan who is charged with involvement in the genocide in the Meshali village of the Khojaly district committed by illegal Armenian armed formations, Report informs.

The accused Vagif Khachaturyan testified at the trial chaired by Judge Hasan Ahmadov.

Khachaturyan said he didn’t plead guilty: “I swear on my conscience that I am innocent.”

Lawyer Radmila Abilova asked the court to acquit her client.

The prosecution and a representative of the executive power of the Khojaly district, recognized as a victim in the case, asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

The next court hearing is scheduled for January 15.

By the verdict of the Baku Military Court, Vagif Khachaturyan was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He must serve the first five years in prison, and the rest in a maximum security penal colony.