Pashinyan Promises ‘Kickback’ for Finding his Lost Claims: Second Hearing Postponed

Imprisoned journalist, chief editor of local daily Haykakan Jamanak (“Armenian Times”) Nikol Pashinyan’s second suit against Kosh penitentiary began at 2 pm today at Artik penitentiary. The opposition journalist is asking the Armenian administrative court to overrule a Sept. 28, 2010 decision made by Kosh prison chief to subject him to a penalty.

As in the first case (held earlier today), Pashinyan noted that the attorney defending his interests in this case is not involved in the process. According to him, he was not given the opportunity to submit the appropriate authorization since during meetings with his attorney transferring any documents has not been allowed.

During the session, one of the attorneys representing the penitentiary administration asked Pashinyan why he did not come forward with this claim earlier, to which he responded that he has repeatedly written claims on different issues, but all his claims get lost.

“If you find all my claims, I’l give you a kickback,” he said.

The imprisoned journalist asked for permission to make use of the right to legal counsel. Judge Robert Sargsyan sustained the motion, thereby postponing the hearing. The next court date has not yet been set.

Note, as with today’s previous court session, journalists were prohibited from bringing photo and video cameras into the courtroom.