ArmInfo. Consideration of the appeal against the decision of the first instance court for the arrest of the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan started in Yerevan Appeals Criminal Court today afternoon.
To recall the consideration of the motion of lawyers began the day before, but after 8 hours of discussion it was decided to continue it today. Currently, all the lawyers of the accused are in the courtroom. As expected, today it is expected to hear the arguments of the prosecution.
It is not known yet whether Robert Kocharyan himself will appear in court. Yesterday's speech of the ex- president, one of his advocates - Hayk Alumyan, described as "bright" and suggested publish it. Another lawyer, Aram Orbelyan, said that possibly the consideration of the petition of the defense side will last till Monday, in order to have time to listen to the arguments of both sides. At the same time, he is optimistic about the court's decision.
To recall, the lawyers of the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan submitted to the Court of Appeal an appeal on the decision of the court of first instance on the arrest. Two appeals are being considered today: the first one is on canceling the decision of the court of first instance and releasing Robert Kocharyan and the second one is Hayk Alumyan's appeal to change measure of restraint from arrest to release on bail. On July 28 the Court of First Instance of Shengavit District of Yerevan granted the request of the Special Investigation Service of Armenia for choosing 2-month arrest as a preventive measure against the second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. The SIS accused Kocharyan of overthrowing the constitutional order within the criminal case on dispersal of protest actions on March 1, 2008. Former Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan is also being accused of the case, however he is wanted. The former head of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, and incumbent CSTO Secretary General Yury Khachturov was also charged under the case, he was released on bail.