Armenian Activist Intends to Defend His Suspected Attacker

Civil society activist Mihran Margaryan [pictured], who was attacked on Aug. 25 along with fellow activist Babken Ter-Grigoryan, did not recognize the two suspects, S. Babayan and S. Purtoyan, who previously confessed to police. Speaking to Epress.am, Margaryan said the two boys, for unknown reasons, gave a false testimony, saying they beat the activists. 

According to the suspects, Mihran and Babken tried to persuade them to "go to the venue of the rally," near city hall where activists were staging a sit-in; they tried to resist for a long time, but the activists cursed them, after which the two suspects assaulted them. 

"I don't recognize those boys. They're not the ones who beat us. If they bring them to court, I'll probably defend them. They don't even have an attorney," he said. 

According to him, the two suspects were released on bail, but the charges were not withdrawn and the investigation continues. 

Recall, activists earlier had told police that at around 1:30 am on Aug. 25, seven people beat them near Ararat Hotel. First, a group approached Mihran and Babken and asked if they were participating in the demonstrations outside city hall. Having received a negative response, the group left. Later, however, another group approached and asked the same question; not believing the answer, the thugs attacked the activists. They were joined by the first group of people. Suspects Babayan and Purtoyan pleaded guilty twenty days later, on Sept. 14.