Men Accused of Group Assault Claim They Him Victim Only Once Each

In the May 16 court sitting, defendants Gor Barnausov and Armen Zarafyan accused of group assault said they do not plead guilty. 

As told to Epress.am by Helsinki Association for Human Rights observer Arman Veziryan, in their final remarks, the accused repeated what they had said earlier. They claim that on Mar. 1, 2013, they hit victim Armen Petrosyan once each, 3–5 minutes apart. Petrosyan in court likewise said that the accused beat him separately, and that he was drunk, swore at Barnausov, who entered into an argument with Petrosyan and hit him once. Zarafyan held Barnausov back, but Petrosyan once again cursed them, after which Zarafyan returned and hit Petrosyan.

The victim admitted in court that he uttered insults, was drunk, and doesn't remember much. Petrosyan will speak at the next court session.

Earlier, Barnausov's and Zarafyan's attorney, Alvard Mnatsakanyan, spoke about the case. Details in the video below (in Armenian only).