21:30, 13 May 2019

Trial of former President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, starts amid his supporters' protests

Robert Kocharyan. Photo: REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili (ARMENIA)

Supporters of Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia, gathered outside the courthouse during the first session on his case and demanded to release him. His advocates question the impartiality of the judge and insist on his disqualification.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 16, 2019, investigators announced their indictment on the case of the clash of law enforcers with oppositionists-participants of the action on March 1-2, 2008; Robert Kocharyan and three other former high-ranking officials were charged.

The defendant's supporters chanted "Freedom to Robert Kocharyan!" and stated that the Armenian authorities were interfering in the judicial process.

A union of Kocharyan's supporters has been set up in Armenia. Its participants have expressed their readiness "to do everything possible to restore justice and release Kocharyan."

"Robert Kocharyan has done a lot for the development of our country," Victor Sogomonyan, the press secretary of the above union, has stated.

Robert Kocharyan is accused of financial frauds and the dispersal of protests in Yerevan in 2008. During the clashes of law enforcers with the protesters, who expressed their disagreement with the victory of Serzh Sargsyan at presidential election, ten people perished. Kocharyan then announced the state of emergency in Armenia.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 13, 2019 at 04:08 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent