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Case of seven: Proceedings discontinued
[03:42 pm] 09 March, 2009

Judge Mnatskan Martirosyan today decided to discontinue the case
against defendant Shant Harutyunyan by the time the court gets the
results of medical examination.

The hearing on the case against prominent opposition figures will
continue without detainee Shant Harutyunyan. The Judge’s decision made
the other six defendants furious. In particular, Armenia’s ex FM
Alexander Arzumanyan announced: `Judge Martirosyan has taken on new
responsibilities and makes a diagnosis.’ The defendants say Shant
Harutyunyan is simply denied access to the court sitting.

Today’s trial got off to a tense start, with Voskerchyan’s lawyer,
Stepan Voskanyan, demanding the resignation of the presiding judge,
Mnatsakan Martirosyan. The lawyer says Judge Martirosyan ignores the
fact that his client, Grigor Voskerchyan, was beaten up in Yerevan’s
Nubarashen prison shortly before the hearing in the controversial
trial. The motion was supported by other advocates. Only the trial
prosecutor, Koryun Piloyan, spoke against the motion. A recess was
announced shortly afterwards.

Remind that the seven oppositionists are accused of attempting to
bring down the government following the February 19 presidential
elections.