Epress.am News from Armenia
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.
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.” The youth say that on May 31, they wanted to stroll through Yerevan’s Freedom Square, however, police officers stopped them, then detained them.
Today Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan read the testimonies of the injured parties and witnesses, who did not appear in court. Kiramijyan’s attorney Melanya Arustamyan, quoting the relevant European Convention clause, said that witness and injured party testimonies cannot be read in their absence; however, the judge stated that reading the testimonies does not mean issuing a judgement.
Speaking to Epress.am, Sargis Gevorgyan said when they heard those testimonies, they noted that there were numerous contradictions, which they raised as statements in the court. The two defendants considered those testimonies to be false and fabricated. Kiramijyan, speaking to Epress.am later, said he found contradictory statements in injured party Varazdat Tadevosyan’s remarks, who testified twice. Note that Tadevosyan was initially detained, with the others en masse, then released and named an injured party in this case.
“Initially he said I broke his glasses, then during the second testimony, he said Ruben Ayvazyan found his glasses. Varazdat also initially said he doesn’t know why he was arrested, then wrote eight pages [saying] that I fought with him, but I couldn’t have fought with him, since during the time he specified, I wasn’t there,” said Kiramijyan.
Note that in his testimony, Varazdat Tadevosyan, speaking about the May 31 incident, said events took place around the Opera building, while, in fact, the incidents connected with Gevorgyan and Kiramijyan took place in the park with Saryan’s statue. Today’s court session was postponed since the accused said they have additional evidence to present.
“I consider this trial shameful, there’s nothing substantial, and they move according to their created fairy tales. In a legal sense, this isn’t a trial, it’s a performance. Soon, we’ll present our videos and other evidence, after which their testimonies will be nullified,” said Gevorgyan.
The next court session is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 10 am.