Epress.am News from Armenia
The trial of opposition youth activists Tigran Araqelyan, Sargis Gevorgyan, David Kiramijyan and Artak Karapetyan began today at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork Marash Administrative Districts of Yerevan.
Recall, on Aug. 9, seven Armenian National Congress (HAK) youth, among them those named above, were detained after an incident with police near Yerevan’s Swan Lake. The next day they were arrested, while four — Areg and Vahagn Gevorgyan, David Kiramijyan and Sahak Muradyan — were released on Aug. 12 and then two more — Artak Karapetyan and Sargis Gevorgyan — were released later. The only one still detained was Tigran Araqelyan.
Araqelyan and Artak Karapetyan are charged with violence against a representative of the authorities, while Areg Gevorgyan, Sahak Muradyan, David Kiramijyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and Vahagn Gevorgyan are charged with hooliganism.
In their testimonies during the preliminary investigation, the accused said they were subject to abuse and violence by police officials.
In court today, Judge Gagik Poghosyan first asked whether the parties had any motions to contest. Tigran Araqelyan responded by saying that since his attorney is not present, he cannot respond to this question.
The judge asked Araqelyan whether Stepan Voskanyan is not the attorney representing all four youth on trial. In response, Voskanyan mentioned that though he was dealing with all the cases during the preliminary investigation, now Vahe Grigoryan is also on the case as an attorney. Araqelyan added that it’s been two months since Grigoryan has been on the case in his role as attorney and during the investigation, his name was noted in the necessary documents.
The judge then called a recess to inform Vahe Grigoryan about the court session, but he was unable to establish contact with him.
Thus, the court was postponed with a new date set on Dec. 22 at 12 pm.