RAFIK PETROSIAN CLASSES PETITION TO CONTINUE COURT SITTINGS ON "CASE OF SEVEN" WITH ABSENCE OF DEFENDANTS AS "ILLEGAL"
Noyan Tapan
Jan 14, 2008
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. "The conduct of political figures
being defendants on the "case of the seven" in the court hall is just
a disgrace," Rafik Petrosian, a member of the RA National Assembly
RPA faction, stated at the January 14 press conference. According
to him, by not standing up the defendants do harm to themselves,
as delay of court sittings prolongs the term of their being in
prison. Touching upon the petition introduced by the prosecutor party
that further sittings will be held with absence of the defendants,
R. Petrosian classed it as an "anti-constitutional, illegal step,"
as Armenia’s legislation prohibits conducting a court sitting with
defendant’s absence.
The journalists asked R. Petrosian, who had joined three various
parties, to comment upon RPA Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov’s
latest statement that the figures, who periodically change a camp, are
"political prostitutes." The speaker rendered it more clear saying that
RPA Spokesperson’s statement was only addressed to the fugures on the
"case of the seven," who at first supported President Serzh Sargsyan,
but then went over to the first President’s team.