Epress.am News from Armenia
On December 1, 2014, two witnesses renounced their testimonies given during the preliminary investigation of Vanadzor resident Karen Kungortsev’s case, who is charged with murdering 15-year old Davit Hovakimyan. The Helsinki Association lawyer Arayik Papikyan informed Epress.am of the latter.
“It is notable that two witnesses, whose testimonies were the basis of my defendant’s charges, in essence, renounced their testimonies. Witness A.H. noted that the majority of the testimony he gave during the investigation was made up and that he didn’t see how Kungortsev stabbed Davit Hovakimyan. That witness gave a few testimonies during the preliminary investigation, where he said he saw the stabbing. The other witness, A.K., revealed in court that he gave false testimonies during the investigation period. He said he did not see Kungortsev stab Hovakimyan and was not even present in the vicinity of the incident. He revealed that what he said during the investigation, that he saw the incident, was all a lie and founded on what his friends had told him,” said Papikyan.
Yesterday, another witness, the handball team coach H.M., who coached Davit Hovakimyan and the latter two witnesses, said he was aware that 2 of his 4 pupils gave false testimonies against Kungortsev during the investigation period and that they only heard from others about what happened, and had not been present during the incident.
The next court session is set at December 17.
Recall, Karen Kungortsev does not admit guilt, and human rights defenders and his attorney indicate violations recorded during the preliminary investigations.
While behind bars, the accused has resorted to self harm, as well as beginning a hunger strike. His mother said that her son was beaten by police while under police custody and forced to confess.
Kungortsev’s accusation was changed from murder to attempted murder last August. At the same time, the investigation accused and detained Vanadzor Medical Center company doctor Vladimir Ghukasyan for unfair treatment and improper implementation of professional duties.
For more details, here (Armenian only).