ArmInfo. The Criminal Court of Appeal, chaired by Judge Arsen Nikoghosyan, decided to postpone the hearing of the case on changing the preventive measure against second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan.
During the trial, Kocharyan's lawyer Hovhannes Khudoyan presented the main points of the complaint submitted by the lawyers. Khudoyan noted that the lawyers proposed changing the preventive measure against the second president of Armenia from arrest to release on bail. The former Prime Ministers of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan, as well as former head of the Cabinet of Artsakh Anushavan Danielyan made personal guarantees with respect to Kocharyan. Lawyers also submitted a third request to release the second president of Armenia in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, as he is at risk. However, Judge Anna Danibekyan rejected all three motions.
Judge Nikoghosyan noted that the personal guarantee was provided by the former Prime Ministers of Armenia and Artsakh and it should be clarified what relations they have with the second President of Armenia. Moreover, according to the judge, it is important what impact may the guarantee of these persons can have on Kocharyan's behavior. The lawyer Hayk Alumyan promised that he would discuss this issue with the second president of Armenia and present answers to the questions of the court.
During the break of the court session, the defense side found out the possible participation of the lawyer Ruben Sahakyan in the meeting, since the latter is at risk due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lawyer Hayk Alumyan asked to postpone Sahakyan's statement to the next court session. In the extreme case, if Sahakyan is unable to take part in the meeting, his speech will be read out by colleagues. The judge agreed to this defense proposal. The next hearing will be held on June 17 at 1:30 pm. It should be noted that Kocharyan's lawyers submitted a complaint to the Court of Appeal in connection with the decision of the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan refusing to satisfy the defense's motion to change the preventive measure against the second president of Armenia.
To recall, earlier the Administrative Court granted the request of Robert Kocharyan's lawyer Arman Orbelyan, that until the end of the coronavirus pandemic, the second president of Armenia will be in the Izmirlyan medical center, where he receives appropriate treatment. Robert Kocharyan is accused of overthrowing the Constitutional system in the framework of the events of March 1, 2008.