AZG DAILY #41, 10-03-2009

Javakhk Update: 2009-03-10 00:22:37 (GMT +04:00)

THE GEORGIANSâ?? NEW GAME

By Hasmik Haroutiunian, translated by L.H.

The attorney is banned from defending Vahagn Chakhalianâ??s
interests

On the eve, Vahagn Chakhalianâ??s protector of rights Stepan
Voskanian visited Tbilisi to meet the activist. At the place of
confinement, the police prevented Stepan Voskanian to meet the
accused.

Vahagn Chakhalian is illegally deprived of freedom more than 7 months
at Tbilisi #8 jail. The police officers told Stepan Voskanian that the
latterâ??s license given on September 5, 2008, was not valid

"The license can be given once and consequently it does not lose its
validity until the end of the trial. I am sure that all of these is
specially planned, and aims at carrying on the lawsuit without the
Armenian attorney. I think that Chakhalian will be sentenced
illegally", Vahagn Chakhalianâ??s protector of rights Stepan
Voskanian told "Azg" daily.

The police officers told Stepan Voskanian that his license was given
by the Georgian Ministry of Justice, which undertook changes two
months ago, and that the solitary confinements appertain to another
legal institution. The situation is really strange. Recently the same
â?`dissolved’ Ministry of Justice rejected the license of
French-Armenian attorney Patrick Arapian. Nevertheless, after
long-lasting talks Voskanian was allowed to meet the Georgian-Armenian
activist for the last time.

In order to assume the role of protector of rights of Vahagn
Chakhalian, his father and brother, Voskanian should file a
petition. He is sure that the Georgians want to gain time and solve
the issue illegally. According to the Georgian legislation, after 9
months of detention the accused should be released and follow the
trial in freedom.

"Vahagn Chakhalian’s 9 month-detention completes on April 21. And as
there is no evidence against him, the Georgian police will try to
issue a verdict until that date", Voskanian said.

The above-mentioned confirms that Chakhalian will be convicted of his
political views.

In this connection, Stepan Voskanian sent an application-letter to the
Georgian Ombudsman Sozar Subarii.