Thursday, August 16 2018 21:37

ArmInfo. The accusation brought against me by   the Special Investigation Service (SIS) of Armenia was based on false and fabricated assumptions, Armenia's 2nd President Robert Kocharyan, who is accused in overthrowing the constitutional order, stated in an interview to Yerkir Media TV channel on August 16.

As the former president said he understands that there are a sufficient number of citizens in Armenia who dislike him. At the same time, Kocharyan believes that a lot of people have positive memories of him.

According to him, his team of lawyers blew the accusation out of water. "My lawyers defeated the accusation, as it was based on fabricated assumptions," he said. At the same time, Kocharyan noted with regret that, at present, he has no right to disclose all the details of the prosecution, based on the secrecy of the investigation.

At the same time, the former president pointed out that the SIS often violates this norm. "The head of the SIS puts himself above the law," he stressed. According to him presenting fragments from the accusation, which are taken out of context,  the prosecution tries to present the case in the light beneficial for itself. In this context, he urged press representatives to insist on full transparency of the investigative actions, to remove the requirement for the secrecy of the investigation and to allow the defense to disclose the charge.

Then, according to the 2-nd president, everyone will see that the case is falsified and is nothing more than a political persecution. Meanwhile, the charge in fact is based, on empty assumptions, having no serious justification. "These statements do not have value from a legal point of view," he said.

Referring to the accusations, that after the presidential elections and protests it was unlawful to declare a state of emergency, Robert Kocharyan stated that the state of emergency was announced when there were already victims. Otherwise, as Kocharyan stated, non-introduction of emergency situation, would be considered by next generationsas inaction of the president.

To recall, on July 28 the first instance court of Shengavit district of Yerevan  granted the request of the Special Investigation Service of Armenia  about the election of arrest as a measure of restraint against the  second President Robert Kocharyan for a period of 2 months for the  overthrow of the constitutional order in the criminal case on  dispersal protest actions on March 1, 2008.

On August 13 the Armenian Court of Appeal granted the petition of the  lawyers of ex-President Robert Kocharyan and canceled the decision of  the first instance court. According to his lawyer Ruben Sahakyan, the  constitutional rule on the inviolability of the former heads of state  became the basis for changing the measure of restraint.Sahakyan  called on to address the investigation the question of how the court  process should further proceed.  However, he did not rule out the  complete closure of the criminal case on the usurpation of state  power in 2008. 

On August 14Kocharyan planned to give a press conference. However, it did not take place, because it was failed by activists.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia  intends to appeal against the decision of the Appeal court in a  higher instance.