Trial of seven oppositionists suspended in Armenia

In Armenia, Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan has interrupted a session of the process of seven oppositionists accused of a putsch attempt, having motivated his decision by disrespect for the court allegedly exhibited by the defendants. The following session was appointed on January 9.

When the Judge entered the courtroom, all the seven defendants remained sitting. One of them - ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Alexander Arzumanyan - has stated that no matter how much the Judge comes into the courtroom, he will never stand up.

"I declare my protest against the Judge's arbitrariness. Namely, against his ban to let journalists into the courtroom, thus, preventing the media from covering the process," Mr Arzumanyan has stated.

Another defendant - Deputy of the National Assembly Miasnik Malkhasyan - has stated, addressing Ombudsman Armen Arutyunyan: "Since one of the requirements of the PACE resolution is release of political prisoners, we demand immediate enforcement of the PACE requirements. We find this trial to be illegal, and we shall not stand up, when the Judge enters the room. The Judge, having taken the case into proceeding, is offending not only us, but also the public and victims' relatives, and the justice."

On December 27, this court session on the "Case of Seven" lasted for about 20 minutes and took place in a half-empty courtroom.