15 September 2011, 23:10
Eight victims questioned at trial of ex-adviser of Armenian Prime Minister accused of paedophilia
Within consideration of the case of Serob Ter-Pogosyan, a major businessman and a former adviser of Armenian Prime Minister, accused of paedophilia, there are ten victims. All of them originate from socially disadvantaged families, as stated by Ovsep Sargsyan, the spokesman of the prosecution at the trial.
According to his story, so far eight of them have been interrogated. The remaining two will be questioned at the next session, upcoming on September 19. The prosecutor said that they are regular soldiers; their presence at the trial should be necessarily ensured. In particular, they should be brought from their military units to Vanadzor, where the case is tried.
"Among the victims there is no one from a socially well-to-do family. They do not deny that Ter-Pogosyan paid them money: this fact was proved by the investigation. Thus, neither Serob Ter-Pogosyan nor the victims deny this fact. Rather large sums were in play - millions of drams," said the prosecutor.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ter-Pogosyan, 69, a US citizen, the owner of the Corporation "Metal Prince" and a former adviser of the Prime Minister of Armenia, was arrested on February 9. The defendant denied any involvement in violent acts of sexual nature and states that he took part in sexual intercourse with children on latter's voluntary basis. The case files include video materials; when watching them neither Ter-Pogosyan, nor his victims denied the fact that the videos showed them, and that their relationships were of sexual nature.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
