RA Investigative Committee responds to publications of  leaders and  defenders of  "Sacred Struggle" movement

ArmInfo. The lawyers, ignoring the requirements of the criminal procedure law, have turned public platforms into "minor trials", as stated in a message distributed by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia in response to the latest publications of the leaders and lawyers of the "Sacred  Struggle" movement. 

The statements notes that the defense attorneys of the defendants  within the criminal proceeding initiated in connection with the fact  of terrorism and preparation for the usurpation of power by the  leaders and participants of the movement called "Sacred Struggle" in  recent days, and sent to court for examination on the merits, without  waiting for the decision on the examination of evidence in the order  and sequence established by the Court within the framework of the  procedure established by law, using public platforms and mass media,   have begun to publish individual fragments of evidence obtained  within the criminal proceeding, and to present their one-sided  opinion and analysis on the significance of this or that evidence for  the case.

"Particularly puzzling is the uncomplaining and unyielding procedural  behavior of defense attorney Hovhannes Khudoyan, who has been  selflessly and persistently trying to find the real targets of Bagrat  Galstanyan's statement about "shooting under the walls and providing  compensation to families," in one case attributing it to "deserters,"  in another, to "drug dealers, "team mates," and so on." First of all,  it is welcome that the defense has finally admitted that the person  conducting the conversation in the recording is Bagrat Galstanyan,  regarding which they previously had a different opinion and position,  perhaps from the perspective of defense tactics." At the same time,  as the statement notes, any speech regarding the permissibility of  taking people's lives or using violence against them with weapons  behind closed doors should be unacceptable for any law-abiding  person.

The IC believes that the defense is trying to influence public  sentiment or opinion with such a style of behavior, thereby pursuing  the goal of belittling the unique and irreplaceable body of evidence  obtained within criminal proceedings, which was obtained exclusively  within the framework of proper legal procedures prescribed by law and  was rightfully included in the body of evidence proving the guilt of  the individuals.

"Ultimately, the answer to all these questions can be given  exclusively by a final judicial act that has entered into legal  force, therefore, we once again urge to strictly adhere to the  requirements of the Code of Conduct for Advocates, treat the  participants in the trial with respect and refrain from the  impermissible practice of spreading misinformation, and address the  actions of the participants in the trial in the ways prescribed by  law - through applications, statements, petitions, challenges,  objections, or complaints,"  the statement reads.