18 September 2019, 08:27
Protests during Kocharyan's trial end in activists' arrests
The court in Yerevan, which is considering the case of Robert Kocharyan, the second president of Armenia, announced a break until September 20. At the courthouse, policemen detained two activists, accusing them of violating the rules of holding actions.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 18, 2019, the court decided to release Kocharyan from custody; however, on June 25, the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Armenia achieved through court his return behind bars; the defence appealed against this decision, but on September 4, the Constitutional Court considered that the arrest unlawful. The consideration of the case restarted on September 12. Today, the judge rejected the defence's motion and left Kocharyan in custody. The court session took place amid protest action of both Kocharyan's supporters and opponents.
The former president is accused of taking a bribe of 917 million drams (about USD 3 million) and within the case of suppressing protests in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008. He himself explained the decision to disperse the demonstrators by the fact that intelligence services had received information that protesters were armed.
According to Zarzand Gabrielyan, a source from the press service of the Armenian Police, at the courthouse, where the rallies of Kocharyan's supporters and opponents took place, law enforcers detained two activists. They failed to obey the policemen engaged in ensuring the peaceful course of actions.
Let us remind you that during the September 12 court session, there were clashes of supporters and opponents of the former president of Armenia, during which three persons were detained, and one was hospitalized.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 17, 2019 at 08:34 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondent
