ArmInfo. The logic of the "Kocharyan case" is to drag out the trial as far as possible. In any case, such is seen by his lawyers. Such an opinion was expressed to ArmInfo, by the member of the political initiative "In the Name of the Republic", political scientist Robert Ghevondyan.
On June 20, the Court of Appeal of Armenia, chaired by Arsen Nikoghosyan, decided to release ex- President Robert Kocharian from custody on bail of 2 billion drams. The Prosecutor General's Office has already announced its intention to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal in the Court of Cassation. "The first beneficiary of such a protracted process is Robert Kocharian himself, represented by his own lawyers. The latter are thereby trying to prevent the start of the trial itself. They are well aware that in this case the details of serious crimes, in all likelihood, will inevitably emerge. Accordingly, Kocharyan's defense tactic is to replace the arrest with another preventive measure. Only his arrest makes it impossible to drag out the court further. In all other cases, nothing prevents the lawyers from dragging the tires to infinity, "he stressed.
Given that 800 witnesses are to be interrogated as part of the process, plus applications for self-recusation, other requests from the participants in the process, the trial, in his opinion, can be delayed for at least 10 years. According to Ghevondyan, being free all this period, Kocharian can hope for changes in the political situation. Such a protracted process, according to his estimates, is fully consistent with the interests of external forces. The latter, in particular, Russia are already trying to use the "Kocharian case" with the aim of forcing their own interests in relations with Armenia.
According to the political scientist, Kocharian poses a danger both at large and behind bars, provided that his influence on the political field and his opportunities are not neutralized. Thus, the main problem of Kocharyan's release from arrest is the lack of interest in this case and his lawyers to lead the trial to completion.
"If Kocharyan waits for the trial to be completed behind bars, his interest in delaying the trial will disappear. This is the main problem. And from the point of view of the full administration of justice, it is very important that the ex-president is in captivity. Kocharian has some political influence due to his connections and the influence of the time of the presidency. Given his constant connection with the outside world even under arrest, there is practically no interference for his activities. He can conduct it both at large and under arrest, "the political scientist summed up. -v-