THIS TIME TRIAL ON "CASE OF SEVEN" POSTPONED BECAUSE OF DEFENDANTS’ NOT SITTING DOWN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The trial on the "case of the seven"
was again postponed on February 12, but this time not because of the
defendants’ not standing up, but not sitting down before the court:
they refused to sit down after the judge entered the court hall. Judge
Mnatsakan Martirosian presiding over at the sitting sent away all
defendants from the hall for two weeks, until February 26, with
the motivation of treating the court with disregard, not including
the trial prolongation term in their punishment term. It should be
mentioned that the sitting on the case is postponed for the 8th time.

A. Martirosian explained to all defendants by turns that they are
obliged to fulfill the orders of the judge presiding over at the
sitting, in this case, to sit down. He said that not fulfilling judge’s
orders, as well as making statements without getting a permission is
also a manifestation of treating the court with disregard.

According to lawyer Melania Arustamian, the court just does not know
its task, as in case of the expected amendment to Articles 225 and
300, RA Criminal Code, the trial can proceed in absolutely another
course. The lawyer said that he could use other measures instead of
sending away the defendants, but he preferred postponing the sitting
again. According to M. Arustamian, this time all seven defendants
were disposed to contribute to sitting’s taking place by all means,
but the judge would postpone it in any case until he receives proper
order "from above."

Nor Zhamanakner party Chairman Aram Karapetian was also present at
the court sitting. In his opinion, the judge just was not ready for
the change of defendants’ conduct. Touching upon the issue of amending
the articles, by which the defendants are accused, he mentioned that
the necessity of such amendments is evident, but they should not be
imitation, as it is done at present.