"WE SHALL SOON SEE WHETHER THEY WERE FAIR OR NOT"
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[08:11 pm] 28 January, 2009
Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights,
thinks in case Article 225 and 300 of Armenia’s Criminal Code are
reviewed the prosecutor will annul the indictments of the detainees
charged under these Articles.
During an interview with Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty,
Mr. Hammarberg focused on ambiguous interpretations of the disputed
articles which give rise to heated debates.
During his November 2008 visit to Yerevan the CoE Commissioner for
Human Rights had promised to express a final opinion about the trial
of the "case against seven" a bit later.
Asked whether he is already ready to voice an opinion, Mr. Hammarberg
said: "I wouldn’t like to say anything by the time the trial kicks
off. I shall publicise my opinion after the trial is over. Only then
I shall be able to say whether the indictments were grounded or not."
When reminded that in November he had a tougher stance, Mr. Hammarberg
said: "Actually, if the seven detainees and the other convicts are
innocent they shouldn’t be kept in jails. Therefore, the trial
of the case is of great importance as they must be set free if
substantial corroborating evidence is not introduced. The verdict
will be announced at the end of the trial and we shall see whether
they were fair or not."