V. Petrosyan’s French lawyer predicts ECHR decision against Armenia

After examining the Vardan Petrosyan case, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will find against Armenia, French advocate Marie Laure Dose told reporters today.

We would remind you that famous actor Vardan Petrosyan is accused of causing a car accident which left two people dead. Petrosyan has been held in custody since the accident. The defense challenges the fact of his preliminary arrest.

”I don’t know if this case reflects the picture of Armenia’s justice system, but several provisions of the European Convention were violated in the case. One violation of the Convention is that at first the man was not charged with any crime, but it was declared later that he should be convicted. The extension of his detention without any reasons being indicated is another violation. The confusion of the prosecution with the aggrieved party’s lawyer is also a violation. I still can’t tell one from the other,” Ms. Dose said.

“I think that it is not the defendant who should prove his innocence, but the prosecution should prove his guilt. Everything is confused. The decision about V. Petrosyan’s arrest would be funny, if it was not related to a man’s freedom. The court took such a decision due to the risk of Vardan Petrosyan’s escape or pressure on witnesses. Neither circumstance can be proven. It is said in the case that V. Petrosyan took alcohol, but tests did not confirm that. The aggrieved party constantly indicates this fact and calls V. Petrosyan an alcoholic, understanding that without this, they will have to admit the defendant’s innocence,” Marie Dose said.