Epress.am News from Armenia
The case of “A&M Ray Air” Ltd. (name translated from the Armenian; English spelling could not be confirmed) vs. former National Assembly deputy Sasun Mikaelyan was examined today at the Hospital for Detainees of the RA Ministry of Justice.
According to the website of Shahkhtun: Wives of Armenia’s Political Prisoners, Mikaelyan was arrested on Mar. 12, 2008 and charged with violating Article 225 (“mass disorder”) and 235 (“illegal weapons possession”) of Armenia’s Criminal Code. “Sentenced to eight years in prison, he is the only one of the seven not to have been released on amnesty or other grounds. After more than a year and a half in the Kentron Penitentiary of the National Security Service (former KGB), he was transferred to the prison hospital, and then to a civilian hospital where he underwent surgery in mid-December.”
Mikaelyan’s attorney Vahe Hovsepyan talked about the nature of the case with journalists after the hearing.
“Their lawsuit is about the demand to oblige the claimant to alienate [vacate] the 1.3 hectares, as well as 0.2 hectares, of land in the Artavaz rural community of Kotayk marz rightfully belonging to Sasun Mikaelyan. As grounds [for the case] they’ve cited a government decision that certain lands are to be recognized as exclusive priority and public interest, and based on these grounds, they have to be alienated to the company acquiring them. [The Armenian government has authorized this company to acquire the lands, but the company is required to sign a contract with the landowners (Mikaelyan or his plenipotentiary). The landowners are refusing to sign the contract; hence, the grounds for the case.]
“Our arguments are that the government decision notes that the prevailing public interest has been recognized over lands with agricultural significance. But the lands rightfully owned by Sasun Mikaelyan are significant in terms of energy [as the land was allocated for building a hydroelectric plant]. According to the land code, lands with agricultural and energy significance belong to completely different categories and because they’re not noted in the government decision, not only lands with agricultural significance, but also lands with energy significance, accordingly, the lands rightfully owned by Sasun Mikaelyan cannot be alienated,” he said.
The plaintiff put forth an objection in court today, and so that they become familiar with the objection and prepare arguments, the defense made a motion to postpone the hearing, which was sustained.
As reported last year, a few protests had taken place outside the government building and the presidential palace at the end of last year. Those protesting the government decision said that Union of Armenians of Russia President Ara Abrahamyan’s brother, Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) MP Gagik Abrahamyan, in partnership with an “Arab sheikh,” is preparing to build a mineral water plant. One of those present at the protests was editor of Joghovurd daily, journalist Taguhi Tovmasyan.
Today’s hearing was open to the public and thus, journalists were permitted to cover it; however, the only journalist allowed in was Tovmasyan.
When asked by Epress.am for comments, Arsen Babayan, a spokesperson with the Department of Penitentiaries at the RA Ministry of Justice, said, “Contact the court, let them provide the grounds, since they’re the ones who allow or not allow. Get the answers to all your questions from the court.”
From the Court Department, however, Epress.am was told that this issue has nothing to do with them whatsoever.
“Our functions are in effect only during court sessions in court buildings,” said head of the Personnel Management Division at the Judicial Department Angin Isakhanyan.