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The Case of the Torn Epaulet Continues: HAK Youth Activists on Trial

The court case of Armenian National Congress (HAK) youth activists Sargis Gevorgyan and David Kiramijyan continued today at the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction of Kentron (Center) and Nork-Marash Administrative Districts.

The judge publicized the testimonies only of those who had been examined in court, while the testimonies of Varazdat Tadevosyan, one of the injured parties, and other witnesses weren’t heard, since they hadn’t been examined in court. At this point, they are looking for these witnesses so that they may be brought to court.

Also mentioned in the case was Kiramijyan’s statement that after being detained on May 31, police beat him in the police van, causing bodily injuries.

Recall that Kiramijyan has been accused of “hooliganism” under Article 258 Section 1 Point 3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, while Gevorgyan is being charged under Article 316 Section 1 for “violence against a representative of the authorities.”

Police officer Arkadi Baghdasaryan’s statement that Gevorgyan had torn his shoulder strap (epaulet, an ornamental fringed shoulder pad typically worn as part of military and police uniforms) and demonstratively threw it on the ground was read today in court. When photo and video material was examined in the previous court session, however, no torn epaulet was seen and Baghdasaryan’s shoulder strap was in its place in all the photos and in all video footage. Recall also that Baghdasaryan testified that his right epaulet was torn; however, the police uniform examined in court had its left shoulder strap torn.

Concluding the disclosure of documents in court, the judge announced that the defendants’ examination will take place next; however, Kiramijyan’s attorney, Melanya Arustamyan, requested that the trial be postponed as her client is not well. The judge sustained her motion and designated the date for the next court session: Oct. 5 at 10 am.