InternationalTrial of seven opposition figures begins in March 1 case
Charges against another four dropped
Published: Friday December 19, 2008
On trial on charges of attempting to usurp state power in violation of the constitution and organizing mass unrest in which deaths occurred, from left, Suren Sirunyan, Shant Harutyunyan, Miasnik Malkhasian, Alexander Arzoomanian, Sassun Mikaelian, Hakob Hakobyan, and Grigor Voskerichian, Yerevan, Dec. 19, 2008. Photolure
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Yerevan - Armenia's Special Investigations Service (SIS) has dropped its case against prominent opposition activists Ararat Zurabian, the leader of the Armenian National Movement party, Aram Z. Sargsian, the leader of the Republic Party and former prime minister, Karapet Rubinian, a former deputy speaker of Armenia's National Assembly, and Gurgen Yeghiazarian, a former national security official and former member of parliament. [For a flowchart describing the criminal investigation process in Armenia, click here.]
Meanwhile, on December 19, the trial of seven other prominent figures began in Yerevan. Among them are former foreign minister Alexander Arzoomanian and members of parliament Hakob Hakobyan, Miasnik Malkhasian, and Sassun Mikaelian. They are charged with attempting to usurp state power violently, in violation of the Constitution, organizing mass unrest in which deaths occurred, and violence against law-enforcement personnel.
In a December 17 press conference, Vahagn Harutiunian, who is the SIS official in charge of the March 1 investigation, noted that the defendants are not accused of murder or of personally taking violent actions. Rather, they are accused of organizing mass events in which they could have reasonably foreseen a loss of life or violence against law-enforcement personnel.
As of today, no one has been charged for killing any of the 10 individuals who sustained mortal wounds on March 1 and 2.
Mr. Harutiunian said the investigation into the legality of police actions on those days is ongoing. Acknowledging that neither former president Levon Ter-Petrossian nor former president Robert Kocharian has been questioned, Mr. Harutiunian said that either or both may be questioned later in the investigation.
The mass unrest followed the failed attempt of Mr. Ter-Petrossian to be elected once again as president. Mr. Kocharian was president at the time of the events.
Were police shot at?
Mr. Harutiunian said that some 40 police officers and conscripts were wounded by shrapnel on March 1. He added that shrapnel was found on a helmet and numerous items of body armor. He said nothing of bullets or other evidence of gunfire, however.
In declaring a state of emergency late on March 1, President Kocharian specifically stated that individuals embedded among the demonstrators had been shooting at law-enforcement personnel.
Asked by the Armenian Reporter after the press conference whether investigators had found any video or physical evidence of gunfire toward law-enforcement personnel, Mr. Harutiunian said they had not. Asked what basis Mr. Kocharian had for stating that officers had been shot at, Mr. Harutiunian said the president had relied on reports given to him. Asked who had provided the president with such a shocking report for which no evidence can be adduced, the lead investigator responded, "How should I know?"
Mr. Harutiunian said he had video evidence, however, that individuals among the demonstrators had fired into the air.
