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`Shant Harutyunyan needs no psychiatrist’
[02:03 pm] 09 March, 2009
Today the trial of the case against seven opposition activists resumed
without defendant Shant Harutyunyan. The police escort informed the
presiding judge, Mnatsakan Martirosyan, that the detainee was already
in the court but he couldn’t participate in the trial. Mnatsakan
Martirosyan was then given the statement of the Penitentiary
Department of the Ministry of Justice which ran: `Shant Harutyunyan
behaves rather aggressively and pours obscene expressions on
doctors. The defendant’s aggressive behaviour can be resulted by a
nervous disorder and psychological breakdown. Shant Harutyunyan has
been isolated.’
Another less prominent defendant Suren Sirunyan said he had been in
the same isolation ward with Shant Harutyunyan and stated that Shant
doesn’t need a psychiatrist. He only needs proper medical
examination. Sirunyan petitioned the court to take Shant Harutyunyan
to an ordinary hospital. Judge Martirosyan announced a recess to study
the petition.
In 20 minutes the court announced a break of 30 minutes.
As usual, proponents of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) have
crowded near the court building. They demand the court to release the
political prisoners.