Epress.am News from Armenia
On November 5, 2013, at the start of Shant Harutyunyan’s initiated rally, police violated the 12th article of the Law on Police, which states that police must ensure public order on the streets. The latter was declared during today’s court session of political activist Shant Harutyunyan and his friends, by lawyer Hovhannes Kocharyan, who defends Vahe Mkrtchyan, Albert Mkrtchyan, and Misak Arakelyan.
Kocharyan gave attention to the fact that some police officers were dressed in street clothing, though the court had not investigated the decision which commanded the implementation of an operative action that day.
Kocharyan reminded the court, that on March 1, 2008, ten people were killed in downtown Yerevan, resulting in the passing of a law to differentiate on-duty police in street clothes, which was not implemented on November 5. According to him, the accusation of hooliganism for the defendants was entirely irrelevant; rather it would be more logical to take them into custody for an article on battery.
Ruzanna Hovhannisyan, the lawyer for defendant Mkrtich Hovhanissyan, delivered a defensive address to the court. She spoke of the defendant as an orderly citizen, student, and motioned to conditionally not apply his punishment.
Shant and Shahen Harutyunyan and Vardan Vardanyan’s lawyer, Inessa Petrosyan (pictured), demanded a just decision during her address to the court. She reminded the court, that when her defendants were taken into custody, they were subjected to torture, while they are now accused of hooliganism.
Petrosyan continued, stating that it has been revealed in court that none of the defendants said, “it’s the cops, go hit 'em,” as the suffered police officers have claimed. Furthermore, it has been proven that not one police officer presented a legal demand for the defendants to conduct. On the contrary, police officers were directing the rally participants toward the street, not urging them to walk on the sidewalk, as shown on video.
Inessa Petrosyan referred to the criminal case filed against 14-year old Shahen Harutyunyan, stating that it was invented and was instituted months later, because it was obvious that Shahen was trying to defend his father, Shant Harutyunyan.
Note, Harutyunyan and his 13 friends are accused of hooliganism committed with an object used as a weapon and resisting the authorities during an anti-government march Harutyunyan organized on November 5, 2013. 3 of them, Mkrtich Hovhannisyan, Artur Margaryan, Vahe Mkrtchyan are also accused of violence toward a representative of the authorities, which foresees 5 to 10 years imprisonment. Hayk Harutyunyan is accused of hooliganism, unlawful possession of psychotropic substances without the purpose of sale. The substance was found in his home during a search, Harutyunyan and his relatives claim that the substance is meant for their dog.
The prosecutor also demands that defendant Vahe Mkrtchyan be sentenced to 8.5 years imprisonment, Albert Margaryan with 8 years, Vardan Vardanyan, Liparit Petrosyan, Avetis Avetisyan with 6.5 years, Alek Poghosyan and Hayk Harutyunyan with 6 years, Mkrtich Hovhannesyan 5.5 years, Misak Mnatsakanyan, Armen Hovhannisyan and Tigran Petrosyan with 4 years. Gevork Gevorkyan has motioned that Misak Arakelyan be fined 50,000 AMD.
The men claim they are innocent, adding that provocateurs interfered with their march, while police officers in plainclothes provoked the conflict with activists.