U.S. AMBASSADOR UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF HOLDING OBJECTIVE AND PUBLIC TRIAL ON MARCH 1-2 CASES

Noyan Tapan

Dec 19, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The results of the investigation
into the criminal case on the March 1-2 events in Yerevan conducted
by the Special Investigation Service, as well issues related to the
trial and its delay were discussed at the December 29 meeting of the
RA prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepian and the U.S. ambassador to
Armenia Marie Yovanovitch.

The prosecutor general presented the results of the investigation and
some statistical data, noting that during the investigation, charges
were brought against 140 people, materials on 111 people were sent
to court, and criminal prosecution of 26 people was stopped and the
criminal case with respect to them was quashed. 3 persons currently
have status of accused persons in the criminal case, and a written
undertaking not to leave Armenia was chosen as a precautionary measure
for them. Another 5 accused persons are wanted by the police. There
are no persons under preliminary arrest.

Out of 90 criminal cases on 111 people sent to court, sentences were
passed on 87 criminal cases of 101 people: five were acquitted, the
criminal case on 1 person was quashed due to reconciliation with the
victim, a fine as punishment was imposed on 5 persons, 38 were given
a suspended sentence and put on probation, and 52 were sentenced
to imprisonment. Court acts were not made regarding 10 persons in 3
criminal cases, and the trial of 7 persons in 1 criminal case is now
at the initial stage.

3 deaths were recorded as a result of using "Cheryomukha 7" special
weapon by police during the mass disorder. The investigators revealed
that this special weapon was used by 4 policemen, however, according to
Armenian experts, the current methodology of expert examination does
not enable to identify the special weapons used. The RA prosecutor
general has applied to the OSCE, the UN, the U.S. embassy in Armenia,
the CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg, and Russia
with the request to provide experienced specialists who will help
with the investigation.

M. Yovanovitch underlined the importance of holding an objective and
public trial, ensuring equality for all the sides in the trial and
respect for the rights of the accused persons, and excluding any
violence. "It is important that the final court act be acceptable
and perceptable for Armenian society," she said.

As regards the RA prosecutor general’s request to provide
expert-related help for identification of special weapons used by the
police during the mass disorder, in particular, "Cheryomukha 7" bullets
and guns, the U.S. ambassador said that the U.S. has no such equipment
and methodology that will be useful in elucidation of this issue.