GRIGOR VOSKERCHYAN WAS BEATEN IN THE PENITENTIARY

A1+
[08:25 pm] 23 December, 2008

The "Case of the Seven" started 45 minutes late today not because
accused Grigor Voskerchyan was brought to court late due to health
conditions, but because he had been beaten.

"Thus, the court did not register the fact that a crime was committed
in the "Nubarashen" penitentiary today. The special officers of the
crime punishment checked my client’s cell, removed everybody and
left him alone. They asked Voskerchyan what article he was charged
with. Knowing that he is part of the "Case of the Seven", they
smacked him in ear and head," said Grigor Voskerchyan’s attorney
Stepan Voskanyan adding that they didn’t even allow his client to
make a statement in court today.

Voskerchyan’s attorney is planning on sending a letter to the RA
Prosecutor General for bringing those guilty to justice. The attorney
also informed that nothing was found in his client’s cell and it is
out of the competence of the officers to conduct check-ups in the
cells of the penitentiary or beat the prisoners.

Armen Khachatryan, who is the attorney of one of the victims of March
1 Gor Gloyan, stated that the main provoker of today’s trial is Judge
Mnatsakan Martirosyan.

"The person who was applying sanctions against the accused did not
respect the same legislative code with which he was guided."

Khachatryan meant the fact that the judge postponed the session based
on the reason that the accused had shown disrespect towards the judge
by not standing up when the judge entered the room.

Attorney Hovik Arsenyan had this to say in regard to the high number
of police officers, the impediments for journalists, not allowing
relatives to enter the courtroom and the rude behavior shown to those
gathered in the courtroom:

"This administration has started provocations in order not to have
a normal trial. There is only one issue-do everything possible and
impossible to have the sessions take place behind closed doors."

Arsenyan told "A1+" that all the political prisoners charged with
the March 1 cases never stand up when the judge enters the courtroom.

Press speaker for head of the penitentiary department of the Ministry
of Justice Arsen Babayan denied the fact that Grigor Voskerchyan had
been beaten.