SUSPECT IN ETHNIC ARMENIAN MURDER CASE ACQUITTED

Interfax
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
February 6, 2008 Wednesday 9:01 AM MSK

The Moscow Regional Court on Tuesday acquitted a young Muscovite
accused of murdering 19-year old ethnic Armenian Artur Sardarian in
the Moscow region.

This is the second time the suspect is acquitted, with a jury finding
him not guilty, an Interfax-AVN correspondent reports.

Lawyer Simon Tsaturian, who represents Sardarian’s family, described
the verdict as illegal and unfounded, adding that he would appeal.

"It’s absolutely outrageous! We hear daily about hate crimes, and we
see acquittals coming in large numbers!" the lawyer said.

"The suspect’s defense was putting enormous psychological pressure
on the jury," he said.

The case was being heard for a second time. In June 2007, the suspect
was acquitted by a jury, but the verdict was overturned and the case
sent back for a retrial.

The acquitted youngster later attacked an ethnic Dagestani and was
sentenced to two years in a correctional facility.

According to the prosecution, on May 25, 2006, two young men attacked
Sardarian on a commuter train between Moscow and Sofrino, because,
they said, they "hate people of Caucasus ethnic stock."

At 11:10 p.m., the train arrived at Klyazma station. After passengers
got off the train, one of the young men pulled the emergency brake
switch to keep the train at the station. The other stabbed Sardarian
at least five times in the head and neck. Sardarian died of the
sustained injuries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress