Paruyr Hayrikyan on trial over case of Armenia 2nd President

News.am, Armenia

20:22, 12.05.2020

What I don’t understand is the obsession to oppose the motions of the Catholicos, the former Prime Ministers of Armenia and all other people’s motions to release second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. These people are stating that the trial over the case of the ex-president needs to be held in observance of presumption of innocence. This is what leader of the Union for National Self-Determination political party Paruyr Hayrikyan told reporters today.

“Even if you are 100% certain that a particular person is a serious criminal, the court is the one that makes the final decision. Each person needs to be viewed as innocent as long as there is no court decision. Even a convicted person can be innocent, especially a person who isn’t convicted,” Hayrikyan said.

According to him, the ex-Prime Ministers have filed a motion to change the pre-trial measure by maintaining the presumption of innocence, not to suspend the trial. “Since Robert Kocharyan hasn’t escaped and there is no proof that he has had an impact on the preliminary investigation, the trial can continue while he is in liberty,” he said, adding that courts are under pressure.

On May 8, ex-Prime Ministers of Armenia Vazgen Manukyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan and Karen Karapetyan and ex-Prime Minister of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Anushavan Danielyan submitted a letter of personal pledge to change the pre-trial measure for second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. After listening to all parties, the judge left for the consultation room to render a decision, which will be announced on May 13.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS