Former Political Prisoner Denied Entry into Armenian Youth Activists’ Trial

During the trial of Armenian National Congress youth David Kiramijyan and Sargis Gevorgyan, held today at the Court of First Instance of Yerevan’s Kentron (Center) and Nork- Marash Districts, a man’s screams could be heard outside.

It later became known that the man was former prisoner of conscience Vardges Gasparyan, who had wanted to be present during the trial but was banned by court bailiffs from entering the courtroom.

Also prohibited from attending the trial today were Sargis Gevorgyan’s mother and brother.

Gasparyan, in speaking with journalists, said that when he attempted to enter the courtroom, they pushed him down and threw him out.

“Few people appeared here, a few bandits in police uniforms, there were 4 of them. Bandits, because they, despite my persistent demand, didn’t identify themselves. I told them, violence is taking place here, and they said, that doesn’t apply to them and they left. Later, police investigators came, took an explanation, and as always, attempted to take me to Central Police Headquarters, as always, attempting to accuse the victim,” said Gasparyan, adding that he didn’t write the explanation in full, since one of the officers invited him to the police division, though he refused to present himself there without an (official) notice.