Epress.am News from Armenia
Testifying in the Gegharkunik District Court of First Instance today in the case of Sargis Hakobyan, 33, accused of beating his wife and causing psychological and physical pain for 9 years, was the defendant's father, Hamlet Hakobyan, who claimed that his son and daughter-in-law, Hasmik Khachatryan, "lived in peace and harmony" and Sargis never raised a hand on his wife. Moreover, Hakobyan accused his daughter-in-law of regularly beating the children. This was conveyed to Epress.am by Khachatryan's lawyer, Tigran Muradyan, who said that the witness' testimony sounded "extremely artificial."
Hakobyan's mother, who is known in Gavar as Varsik the fortune-teller, just as last time, so too did not appear in court today. Her absence was explained by the fact that as a close relative of the defendant she has the right to refuse to testify. Recall, at the last court session, the Hakobyan family doctor provided a note saying that Hakobyan's mother is suffering from sclerosis and cannot testify.
Also testifying in court today was Khachatyran's cousin (the daughter of her father's brother), Gohar Khachatryan, who confirmed that Hasmik was regularly beaten by her husband.
The defendant will testify at the next court session, scheduled for April 2. The Court also invited experts who will present the results of the examinations.
In addition, the representative of the accused made a motion for the witnesses they invited to be examined. The judge sustained the motion. Khachatryan's attorney, in conversation with Epress.am, believed the testimonies of these witnesses will also be artificial, as they are mainly clients of Varsik the fortune-teller, and they will try to absolve her son.
Recall, at the last court session, Khachatryan described in detail 3 instances of abuse that occurred on May 5, 2013; at the end of May 2013; and June 12, 2013. After the last incident, she ran away from her husband's home. On May 5, her husband hit her on the head, her ear, and kept her under alternating cold and hot water. According to Khachatryan's testimony in court, she was bedridden for one week. Furthermore, she wasn't allowed to see her father on his birthday, May 12. At the end of May, her husband came home drunk again, asked whether she knows that he's "a good guy," and put out his cigarette on his wife's hand. In June, Hakobyan beat Khachatryan with not only his hands and feet, but also a chair.
Khachatryan's parents also testified, confirming that there there were regular disputes in the family and their daughter constantly escaped and came to their home, but she always returned to her husband, because she has children.
Photo: Presiding Judge Aghvan Petrosyan