Civil activist and editor to be granted amnesty
A court in Yerevan today continued the hearing of the case involving civil activist and human rights defender Argishti Kiviryan. The editor of Armenia Today news website, Argishti Kiviryan, was charged under part 1 of Article 316 Armenia’s Criminal Code (using violence against a representative of the authorities). The charges were brought against him following an August 24, 2013 demonstration against the controversial construction in 5 Komitas Avenue in Yerevan where Kiviryan was involved as a protester. According to the Special Investigation Service, Kiviryan intentionally hurt himself in a police car on the day of the scuffle while being taken to the Arabkir police station. He inflicted injuries upon himself and was not injured by policemen. In his speech, the prosecutor stressed that Kiviryan had bitten and hit a police officer and hence he was guilty. At the same time, the prosecutor added that Kiviryan might be granted amnesty. Judge Mkrtchyan then asked the police officer who was recognized as an aggrieved party in the case, whether he had anything to say in court. “I have nothing against this man [Kiviryan],” said the policeman.
