Robert Kocharyan to express his position after examination ends: court session to continue on December 3

The examination of the petition on changing Armenian second president Robert Kocharyan’s preventive measure lasted today in the Court of Appeal almost all day long chaired by judge Ruben Mkhitaryan.

Nevertheless the examination has not ended and will continue on Monday, December 3.

Attorney Hayk Alumyan said for having right to arrest Kocharyan the court should have first considered it proved that Kocharyan did not use his immunity in this case and after it is proved that he did not use his immunity it should have discussed whether there is a reasonable suspicion that Kocharyan did what he is charged with.

“If this reasonable suspicion does not exist nothing is being discussed anymore and he should be released. Only if reasonable suspicion exists it is not enough. It should then be discussed whether Kocharyan would stay in freedom or he might hide from investigation or impede it. The first instance court has not considered all this. After hearing the conversation between the chiefs of the NSS and SIS it became clear what lays beneath all this,” the attorney said.

Alumyan also claimed that the investigator has submitted “an illegal evidence”, meaning the 0038 order of former defense minister.

The attorney claims that petition for arresting Kocharyan has been submitted to force others give testimonies.

At today session the six-member team of prosecutors headed by Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan participated in the session. Alumyan said they have not spoken yet but listened attentively.

As to Robert Kocharyan, the attorney said his defendant has what to say and will express his position after the examination ends.