A1 Plus | 21:46:36 | 10-06-2004 | Politics |

COURT PUNISHES ATTACKERS BY FINING THEM

Criminal case on the April 5 skinheads’ assault on journalists during
National Unity party rally was heard today at the first instance
court of Center, Nork-Marash.{BR}

The accused refused to speak at the court session. That’s why their
testimonies given at preliminary inquiry were read up now.

It has become clear that the skinheads, who has severely beat
journalists and broken their cameras, appeared on the scene that very
day “by chance”.

The court took the stories invented by the accused to justify their
appearance on site for granted and fine both accused 100,000 drams
each.

Journalist Anna Israelyan though being aware of faulty justice system
in Armenia was deeply disappointed with the court decision.

State-owned Public Television correspondent Vahe Kostandyan, who
was also attacked by skinheads that day, testified that he had seen
nothing, heard nothing and only found his camera broken. It also became
known that Public Television refused from 290,000-dram compensation.