Picket Outside First Court Hearing in Murder Trial of Abusive Husband

The trial in which Yanis Sarkisov is accused in the murder of Zaruhi Petrosyan took place on Mar. 16 at the Court of General Jurisdiction in the Armenian city of Masis.

Members of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women in Armenia picketed outside the courthouse during the trial to remind everyone that a fair and just trial is expected and the case will be monitored by the local NGOs that are part of the coalition.

According to a statement by the Coalition posted on its blog, during this first hearing, witnesses — among them Zaruhi’s sister and her best friend — gave their testimonies. “Sarkisov delayed the hearing a little by insisting on not being photographed and refusing to talk and respond to questions in front of so many citizens in the courtroom. The judge did not take into account the complaints voiced by Sarkisov” and moved on with the trial, reads the group’s statement.

The next hearing is scheduled for Mar. 28. The Coalition urges fellow citizens and interested parties to join them in their demonstrations regarding this case.

Recall, 20-year-old Petrosyan died in Oct. 2010 as a result of repeated psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her husband (Sarkisov) and his mother. Her child, who is a minor, is currently in an orphanage, under state care.

Photos courtesy of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women.