ARMEN HARUTYUNYAN: "THE CASE OF SEVEN RESEMBLES LITMUS PAPER"
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[02:19 pm] 12 December, 2008
"The prosecution lacks convincing evidence. So far I haven’t heard
strong case-based reasoning. Courts always defend the interests of
prosecution," Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan said today with
regard to the trial of the so-called case of seven due on December 19.
Mr. Harutyunyan has heard both the prosecutor and the defender but
mostly he believes in the defense. "The advocates have submitted
weighty and convincing evidence," he said.
"As Russians say the trial of the case is a litmus paper and may
become an ordeal for the country’s future prosperity.
The Ombudsman thinks the case of seven can be an indicator of strategic
development of the society because both prosecution and defense have
been focusing efforts in this direction. Therefore, the Ombudsman’s
Office will constantly monitor the trial, use its scarce resource to
the full, follow attentively the arguments of the two sides and the
judge’s behaviour. The office will come up with a final assessment,
possibly with a report, at the end of the court proceedings.
Armen Harutyunyan thinks it will guarantee a professional and unbiased
approach of their office, avoiding an early opinion.
In the given situation the Ombudsman sees pardon and amnesty as the
best way out, although he is for amnesty since it does not require the
detainee’s pardon or repentance. "It is a demonstration of goodwill
towards the case. During our visits to prisons and my talks with the
detainees I was convinced that they shouldn’t made repentant as they
don’t plead guilty of any crime. The court is already hearing the case,
and let the prosecutors unveil the reality and prove their crime. Man
is not bound to prove his innocence."
Armen Harutyunyan couldn’t say for sure how one can get acquainted
with the 40-volume case within nine days. Anyway, he didn’t want to
underestimate anyone. "Maybe there are talented people who can get
acquainted with the material within nine days which I can do only in
90 days," said Mr. Harutyunyan.
The Ombudsman urges mass media and civil society institutes to follow
up the trials on March 1 events without major scandals and shows as
they delude and distract from real arguments hindering professional
observation.
The monitoring held by the Human Rights Defender showed that the
court trials mostly turn into shows with the participation of judges
and journalists.
"We still have much to do to be called a legal country as opposition
journalists and businessmen still encounter obstacles in our country,"
Armen Harutyunyan said regarding the state of human rights in Armenia.