Police Officer Suing Civil Society Activist Says in Court She is Unfamiliar with Case Materials

The lawsuit brought against civil society activist Vardges Gaspari (pictured) by three police officers requesting a total of 900,000 AMD (over $2,200 USD) in moral damages is not entering the trial stage The reason is the officers' constant and unjustified absences. As reported by the Epress.am correspondent, police officers Khachik Avetisyan and Diana Vardanyan did not appear in court today, while another police employee, Sona Melikyan, requested the court session be postponed, saying she is unfamiliar with the case materials. The police officer claims the materials are in Vardanyan's possession, and she (Vardanyan) is in hospital. 

Judge Ruben Nersisyan reprimanded the plaintiff, saying she is clearly being unscrupulous toward the case. 

Gaspari's attorney, Tigran Yegoryan, objected the motion to postpone the session. He said the court must reveal whether plaintiff Diana Vardanyan is in the hospital and why she herself didn't make the request to postpone the session. Yegoryan also remarked that all those representing the lawsuit are obliged to defend it; that is, Sona Melikyan can do this in court and not wait for the others. 

Nevertheless, the judge postponed the session, appointing the next court date on September 18 at 4:30 pm. 

Note, the three police employees state in the lawsuit that they were injured by the words "villain," "scoundrel," and criminal" that Gaspari called them.

Earlier, launching a lawsuit against Gaspari was another police employee, Aida Demirkhanyan, who likewise was insulted by his remarks directed at police officers. She is demanding 1 million AMD ($2,450) in compensation from Gaspari.