Epress.am News from Armenia
A new, special procedure is in place for those who want to attend the trial of Karabakh War veteran Volodya Avetisyan held at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative Districts of Yerevan. As reported by the Epress.am correspondent at the scene, police are standing outside the courtroom steps holding metal rods and allowing only those with government-issued ID to go inside.
As a result, Avetisyan's comrades, fellow war veterans, who demonstrate outside the courthouse at every trial then go inside, today remained outside as they weren't made aware of the new procedure beforehand. Some of them decided to boycott today's court session, while others appealed to police officers and court bailiffs to make an exception and allow them inside, since today is the first time this new procedure was introduced.
The war veterans inside the courtroom congratulated Avetisyan, who became a grandfather today.
Recall, Avetisyan is accused of taking a $2,000 bribe. He doesn't admit to the charges; moreover, he claims the charges against him are a result of political persecution, as he was one of the organizers of protests by war veterans demanding better treatment and improved social conditions.