28 July 2017, 02:31
In "Sasna Tsrer" case, judge twice rejects self-disqualification
In the case against 18 members of the unit "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun), an advocate and one of the defendants stated that Judge Artush Gabrielyan violates the right of the defendants to defence and fails to ensure their safety. Artush Gabrielyan has rejected both motions for his self-disqualification.
Since June 8, the court considers the case against 14 members of the unit "Sasna Tsrer", and on June 10, it became known that the case against other 18 members of the unit "Sasna Tsrer" was sent to the court.
On July 4, by the judge's decision, 15 out of 18 defendants were removed from the trial in the second "Sasna Tsrer" case for contempt of court, and at the court hearing held on July 6, three other defendants were removed from the courtroom.
At a court hearing held on July 27 in the second "Sasna Tsrer" case, Judge Artush Gabrielyan applied sanctions against five advocates, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
Liparit Simonyan, an advocate of Toros Torosyan, accused the judge of violating constitutional norms and filed a motion for self-disqualification of the judge. The motion was supported by other advocates.
Another motion to challenge the court was filed by defendant Vardan Gheravetyan. According to his story, the judge cannot provide guarantees for the safety of the defendants.
On June 28, before a court hearing, a clash occurred in the courthouse between the defendants and the police. According to advocate Ara Papikyan, defendants Araik Khandoyan, Areg Kyureghyan, Smbat Barseghyan, Mkhitar Avetisyan, and Gagik Eghiazaryan were tortured in the courthouse.
The next court hearing is scheduled for August 3.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondent
