Epress.am News from Armenia
The case involving local environmentalist Mariam Sukhudyan vs. Republic of Armenia police will take place at Yerevan’s Kentron (Center) and Nork Marash Administrative Court at 12 pm today. Recall that Sukhudyan filed an appeal demanding compensation because Armenia’s police, specifically Chief of Police Alik Sarsgyan and Head of the Police Department on Public Relations Sayat Shirinyan, violated her “presumption of innocence.”
A criminal case was brought against Sukhudyan, who spoke up about abuse in a boarding school for children with special needs. She was accused of slander and “false betrayal,” by stating that Nubarashen No. 11 school teacher Levon Avakyan had sexually harassed the students.
Chief of Police Alik Sarsgyan, before the court issued a verdict, said that Sukhudyan had made groundless accusations, defamed innocent people and forced minors to punishable actions. Furthermore, Head of the Police Department on Public Relations Sayat Shirinyan used the word “criminal” when referring to Sukhudyan.
Later, Avakyan was found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Speaking to Epress.am today, Sukhudyan’s attorney, Liparit Simonyan, said he wouldn’t take on the case if winning wasn’t a realistic option.
“And the rest, we’ll see; I don’t want to make predictions beforehand,” he said.