Doctors Accused in Case of Soldier Who Died of Chickenpox Will be Granted Amnesty: Lawyer

Judge Vladimir Grigoryan, presiding over the case of Hayk Khachatryan, a military conscript who died of chickenpox while serving in the army in 2011, on Dec. 16 postponed announcing the verdict, deciding instead to resume the trial, Mushegh Shushanyan, representing Khachatryan's father, informed Epress.am. 

The defense applied for amnesty for the accused, and the judge said he would like to hear the opinion of the affected party. Shushanyan and the legal successors of the victim (Grigoryan) are not preparing to attend the next hearing as they will be boycotting the court.

The attorney explained that new evidence was acquired during the trial allowing for not only proposing new charges, but also toughening the charges against the doctors (the defendants); however, neither the prosecution nor the court is paying attention to these facts.  

Head of the Neurology Department of the Central Clinical Military Hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Minas Mkrtchyan and Armenian Armed Forces Chief Surgeon Mikayel Mikayelyan are accused of "negligent attitude to service by a commander or official, which caused essential damage" (Article 376 of the RA Criminal Code), which is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years.

According to Shushanyan, the aggrieved party, no longer having any expectations from the court, will wait for the verdict and will appeal it in the Court of Appeal. The attorney said they are fighting for tougher penalties; meanwhile, under the current article, the doctors will be granted amnesty.