29 December 2008, 21:00
The Armenian court hearing on the "Case of Seven" put off till January 9
In Armenia, judge Mnatsakan Martirosian adjourned the court hearing on the "Case of Seven" and explained his decision by the defendants' contempt of court. In particular, when the judge entered the court room all the seven defendants continued to sit. The next hearing is appointed for January 9.
Alexander Arzumanian, one of the defendants, ex-minister of foreign affairs, declared that he was not going to stand up no matter how many times the judge would enter the court room. "I declare my protest against the judge's arbitrariness. In particular, against the fact that journalists are not allowed into the court room, because this hampers their coverage of the proceedings", stated Arzumanian.
Another defendant, Miasnik Malkhasian, National Assembly deputy, stated in his address to Ombudsman Armen Arutiunian: "Since release of the political prisoners is one of requirements of PACE resolution, we demand that the PACE requirements should be immediately fulfilled. We consider the proceedings as unlawful and are not going to stand up when the judge enters the court room. Judge Martirosian, by accepting the case for hearing, offends not only us but also the public and the relatives of the victims, as well as justice".
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan Source: CK correspondent
