Prosecutor Request 3-Year Trial Period for Youth Activists

The court case of Armenian National Congress (HAK) youth activists Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kiramijyan continued today at the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron (Center) and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts.

Recall that Kiramijyan has been accused of “hooliganism” under Article 258 Section 1 Point 3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, while Gevorgyan is being charged under Article 316 Section 1 for “violence against a representative of the authorities.”

Prosecutor Harutyun Harutyunyan, speaking about the incident on May 31 when the youth attempted to stroll through Liberty Square but were subsequently detained by police, said that witness Ruben Ayvazyan kicked Kiramijyan while he was on the ground; however, ironically, it is Kiramijyan who is being accused of “hooliganism.”

As for Gevorgyan, according to Harutyunyan, the other HAK activist pushed and shoved police officer Arkadi Baghdasaryan when he tried to detain him. In Harutyunyan’s opinion, Kiramijyan and Gevorgyan both speak of establishing order and developing civil society; however, in reality, they don’t do that themselves.

In his closing speech, the prosecutor, stating that the evidence shown in court proves the defendants’ guilt, proposed a three-year sentence for the aforementioned charges; however, considering a few mitigating circumstances such as the fact that they’re young and first-time offenders, Harutyunyan proposed not to apply a conditional sentence and called for a three-year trial period instead. Further, until the court decision comes into effect, the youth must sign a document saying they won’t leave the city. 

The next court date is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 10 am, during which time the attorneys will make their defense speech.