WITNESSES DIDN’T COME TO COURT
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[07:08 pm] 03 February, 2009
The Yerevan Criminal Court postponed today the trial of three people
charged with hooliganism and murder at the "Odnoklassnik" club.
Injured Abel Mikayelyan and Anahit Movsisyan, who is the legal
successor of Abel Mikayelyan, did not show up to court. Movsisyan
reasoned that she has moved to a new house and that she had to be
informed earlier because she just received the notice today. Her
notice, as well as the notice of former editor of the"Radiolur"
program on Public Radio Artur Sahakyan and Abel Mikayelyan were taken
back. The last two were not in court because they were out of town.
Accused Sahak Azizbekyan are charged with the 1st section of the 3rd
part of article 258 of the RA Criminal Code [hooliganism by a group
of people or an organized group], while Armen Sargsyan and Samvel
Alikhanyan are charged with the 3rd part of article 258 and 14th
point of the 2nd part of article 112 [damage health intentionally
that leads to death of the injured].
The incident at "Odnoklassnik" club took place on September 21, 2008
at 1:01 a.m. The three mentioned came to the club to get revenge on
Artur Sahakyants, who allegedly tried to commit rape. In the end,
Andranik Babayan died.
Attorney Garegin Markaryan told journalists:
"There is an article and a sanction is fixed by that article. For
example, five years for hooliganism, 5-10 years for murder. Of course,
I would like respect for my position and a short term. I can’t say that
I have hopes that I will reach the minimum term in these conditions."
Is it hard to defend those whose charge is evident? In response to
that, Markaryan said that each citizen of Armenia has the right to
defense regardless of the weight of the crime.
"I implement that by the contract, which I have signed with the
relatives of my clients," added Markaryan.
The trial was postponed until February 19 at 2:00 p.m.