OFFICE OF RA PROSECUTOR GENERAL READY TO ASSIST FACT-FINDING GROUP OF EXPERTS
Noyan Tapan
Nov 21, 2008
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the investigation
into the criminal case opened in connection with the March 1-2 events
in Yerevan, and issues related to cooperation of the prosecutor’s
office, the National Assembly ad hoc committee and the newly-created
fact-finding group were discussed during the November 21 meeting of
the RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian and the CE Commissioner for
Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, NT was informed by the RA prosecutor
general’s office.
A. Hovsepian said that as of November 21, 7 accused persons are
under preliminary arrest, and the investigation into their cases
finished in early September 2008 and a period was established for
familiarization with the materials of the investigation. Based on a
petition of the defence, the established period has been twice extended
by the procesutor who controls legality of the investigation. The
accused and their defence lawyers have been given time to familiarize
themselves with the material evidence, and the issue of sending the
criminal case to court will be decided after the accused and their
lawyers familiarize themselves with the case materials and the possible
petitions are discussed. According to the prosecutor general, in case
of the criminal case going to court, the publicity of the trial will
be ensured.
Presenting the results of the investigation at the request of
T. Hammarberg, the prosecutor general also spoke about the work
to determine the legality and adequacy of police actions during the
indicated events. In his words, as early as in March instructions were
given to the investigation body to examine legality of the actions
of the police in general and some policemen.
The policemen and servicemen of the RA police troops who took part
in the operation to prevent mass disorder – about 500 persons were
questioned, several documents, including police registers, as well
as the fire-arms and special weapons of the policemen and servcemen
were seized. The clothes of the dead persons and the subjects found
in their bodies were sent for an expert examination.
The investigation revealed that there was a sniper among the police
troops, and he was questioned in June. By the conclusions of the
expert examination, none of the bullets taken from the bodies of the
injured and killed persons was fired from the gun of the sniper.
As regards the special weapons used, the prosecutor general said the
current methodology of expert examinations of Armenian institutions
does not provide an opportunity for identification so help of
international experts is of importance. T. Hammarberg informed
A. Hovsepian that he had discussed this issue with several other
foreign experts and he will provide the data of a higly experienced
expert from the UK, which may prove useful for Armenian experts and
the investigation body in this issue.
The prosecutor general assured T. Hammarberg that the prosecutor’s
office is ready to provide the information at its disposal to the
fact-finding group of experts, just as it provides information to
the NA ad hoc committee. At the same time A. Hovsepian expressed a
hope that the fact-finding group will succeed in discovering facts
of use to the investigation.
"Various persons and forces have announced that they have information
about the mass disorder but they have not provided this information
to the investigation body, explaining they don’t trust. An independent
fact-finding group of experts was created, I think there are no grounds
to distrust it and I hope that these materials, if they really exist,
will be given to the group," the prosecutor general said, noting that
the prosecutor’s office will only be grateful if the fact-finding group
discovers new facts as it will help ensure the comprehensiveness and
completeness of investigation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
