RIGHT FOR FAIR TRIAL ENDANGERED, LAWYERS SAY
Lusine Vasilyan

"Radiolur"
17.03.2009 16:03

Before today’s hearing on the "case of 7" the lawyers of the defendants
met with reporters. They declared that their further participation
in the trial is improper. Proceeding from the decision made during
the previous court hearing and the judicial process, in general,
the lawyers consider that the right for fair trial is endangered,
and the rights of defendants and lawyers are violated.

"Under such conditions our participation in the process, our presence
in the courtroom becomes formal. In reality, the court ignores all our
petitions and suggestions. We will not attend the hearings until all
conditions of fair trial are ensured," lawyer Varduhi Elbakyan said.

Today’s hearing on the "case of seven" was held without the accused
and the lawyers. Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan took the decision to apply
to the Chamber of Advocates with a petition to inflict a disciplinary
penalty upon every lawyer. The court hearing was postponed until
March 23.