Home / Armenia / Armenian Police Ignore Court Decision, Attorney Claims

Armenian Police Ignore Court Decision, Attorney Claims

Four men convicted of assault and robbery have appealed against their sentences at the RA Court of Appeal; however, the appeal process has not progressed beyond the initial stage since the key witness has persistently failed to appear in court.

On June 3, 2015, Judge of the First Instance Court of Armavir province Vahe Khalatyan found the defendants guilty of robbery and aggravated assault and handed sentences ranging from 8 to 12 years. According to the indictment, the accused had stolen a couple of old computers and cell phones from two village municipalities.

Alvard Mnatsakanyan, accused Argishti Saribekyan's attorney recalled in a conversation with Epress.am that at one of the previous hearings the judge had granted her motion for the questioning of the key witness Karen Yengibaryan. 

“The Court of Appeal had ordered to detain the witness and bring him into court, which means the police should have either detained him or, at least, submit a protocol on the fact that they were unable to locate the witness. The police, however, have totally ignored the court's ruling,” Mnatsakanyan stated.

The attorney today motioned to the court to adjourn the hearing and oblige the police to either find the witness or provide justification for their inability to do so. The next hearing will take place on October 2.