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TOROSIAN SENTENCED TO 1.5-YEAR IMPRISONMENT
[08:27 pm] 19 October, 2007

Hrant Hakobian, 1964, was murdered near the so-called `Tezh Ler’ on
Vanadzor-Dilijan highway April 26. Some connected the assassination
with the upcoming parliamentary election as Hrant was killed during a
skirmish with NA deputy Vahram Baghdasarian’s proponents.

Gor Torosian, 1980, was charged with the murder. Torosian gave
himself up and confessed everything. The preliminary inquest revealed
that Torosian had resorted to self-defense at an attempt to protect
his friends.

First Instance Court of Lori Marz sentenced Gor Torosian to 1.5-year
imprisonment. Thus, Gor Torosian was found guilty of Hrant Hakobian’s
murder on the data submitted by the preliminary inquest.

Hrant’s sister Hasmik Hakobian and her representative Arthur Sakunts,
the head of the Vanadzor-based regional branch of the Armenian
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA), find the preliminary investigation
incomplete and controversial.

They state that Samvel Diloyian, a member of the Vanadzor Alderman,
his friend Aren Veranian and Alderman member Vahagn Avagian should be
engaged in the case hearings. Moreover, according to Arthur Sakunts,
the inquest ignored the shortcomings of the witnesses’ testimonies

Hakobian’s legal successors are going to appeal the verdict.

Naira Bulghadarian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress