Epress.am News from Armenia
The motion for withdrawal put forth Tuesday by Hrant Gevorgyan, attorney to Hakob Manukyan, one of the accused in the case of rifle platoon commander Artak Nazaryan, who died suddenly while serving in Tavush marz (province) during peacetime on Jul. 27, 2010, was overruled by the judge on Wednesday.
As told to Epress.am by Helsinki Association for Human Rights defender Arman Veziryan, who was present at the Dec. 21 court session, witness in the case Arman Mnatsakanyan then took the stand. Recall, Mnatsakanyan completed his mandatory two-year military service on Dec. 4; however, he has not yet been discharged from the army. Later, a Defense Ministry representative declared that Mnatsakanyan’s service was extended by one month. Note, the witness entered the court yesterday again accompanied by military police.
Hrant Gevorgyan and Levon Poghosyan, lawyers for the accused, examined the witness, inquiring about the dispute which took place around the table in the military unit’s mess hall on Jul. 19, 2010. In particular, they asked why Artak Nazaryan; platoon deputy, Captain Hakob Manukyan; and Senior Lieutenant of the neighboring Luys base Vahagn Hayrapetyan were arguing and where he was during the dispute.
Mnatsakanyan initially said that Manukyan told Nazaryan that “you will answer for cursing” and hit him, after which Nazaryan hit Hayrapetyan. This was followed by another curse by Nazaryan. By the way, initially Mnatsakanyan said he was one meter away from the table. Asked in that case, how did Artak Nazaryan appear in the corner of the room with a bloody nose, Mnatsakanyan said he doesn’t know.
To most of the questions directed at him Mnatsakanyan either responded with “I don’t remember” or didn’t respond at all.
During the trial, the judge read a document presented by the Investigative Service of the RA Ministry of Defense, which stated that the witness will be discharged soon and afterwards the military police will be unable to ensure his safety.
After reading this document out loud, Judge Mardanyan asked the witness whether he is motioning for witness protection, to which Mnatsakyan responded in the affirmative. Though the parties didn’t object to the motion, Mushegh Shushanyan, attorney to the victim’s legal successor, said the witness provided no grounds that he is being terrorized and that there is a need for protecting his safety. The judge, however, sustained the witness’ motion and said he will send the necessary letter to the police so that the police can ensure his safety.
Regarding this motion, Ruben Martirosyan, representative to the victim’s legal successor, said he is not against this motion and explained why. “This protection is needed so that the poor child is protected from the prosecution and the military police,” he said wryly.
The next court date is set for Jan. 17, 2012, at 12 pm.