VAHAGN CHAKHALYAN REFUSES TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2009 12:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On October 16, 2009 the Javakheti Armenian political
activist Vahagn Chakhalyan, who is currently being held in Rustavi
strict regime detention facility number 6, gave his attorney Stepan
Voskanyan, a statement of refusal to participate in the trial, Yerkir
Union told PanARMENIAN.Net.

The statement reads:

"On July 23, 2009 the Court of Appeals of Georgia began the hearings on
the verdict against my father – Ruben Chakhalyan, my younger brother-
Armen Chakhalyan and me.

As of today, the previous two court sessions show that the proceedings
continue to be held with the same violations, as those committed
during the trial in the Court of First Instance:

– the judicial proceedings still take place without my French lawyer,
Patrick Arapian, who was illegally denied registration by the Georgian
authorities;

– the judge rejects almost all defense motions on unacceptable grounds;

– the Armenian translation of the court hearings is totally inadequate
and incomprehensible,

Therefore, I do not have the opportunity to adequately follow the
course of the trial, as well as to participate in it, that is – enjoy
the minimum rights to protection, provided for by all the domestic
and international laws.

Under these circumstances, my participation in the court proceedings
would mean to legitimize, against my will, a shameful farce that
takes place in the courtroom. Therefore, from this time on I refuse
to participate in trial voluntarily."