Court Proceedings Commence in Armenian Spy Case

Tert.am
18:48 – 23.01.10

The trials of Armenian citizen and former Defense Ministry employee G.
Hayrapetyan and Iranian citizen B. Baghery of Azeri descent , both of
whom are accused of high treason for spying, and obtaining and keeping
weapons illegally began in Yerevan’s Court of First Instance in the
boroughs of Avan and Nor Norq yesterday.

RA General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan was appointed to the case
during yesterday’s court proceedings.

Hayrapetyan is charged with Article 299 Section 1 of the RA Criminal
Code (high treason by spying) and Baghery is charged with Article 235
Section 1 (illegal procurement and keeping of weapons and ammunition)
and also with Article 302 of RA Criminal Code (spying conducted by a
foreign citizen).

Investigation has revealed that Hayrapetyan had been recruited by the
Azerbaijani Special Services and tasked with collecting and sending
them information about the fighting and defense capabilities of
Armenia’s military armed forces, as well as some materials meant to be
used for anti-Armenian propaganda.

On September 1, 2009, Hayrapetyan received his last task from Baghery
who had come to Armenia. A search in Hayrapetyan’s apartment revealed
weapons and ammunition.

In yesterday’s session, the prosecutor has published its accusations.
Hayrapetyan has pleaded completely guilty for obtaining and keeping
weapons and ammunitions illegally, while for a high-treason accusation
by spying he has pleaded partially guilty.
Baghery has not pleaded guilty at all.

The Court has ruled that the trial will continue behind closed doors
as the evidence included in the case contains state secrets.