Permyakov Trial: Judge rejects petition challenging him and prosecutor (video)
Judge Harutyunyn Movsisyan, who is presiding over the trial of Valery Permyakov, a former Russian soldier charged with killing a seven-member Armenian family in Gyumri city, has rejected lawyers’ petition to challenge him and the prosecutor. While doing this, the judge said a judge recuses himself if he/she may hinder the Court to reach a fair and just adjudication, but he does not see such grounds in the case. The lawyers did not file more petitions. The next hearing is scheduled for January 22. 16:30 When Judge Harutyun Movsesyan returned from the consultation room after a 30-minute recess, Artur Sakunts, who presents the interests of legal successors of the Avetisyan family, said ‘the judge is biased against the relatives of the victims.’ He said the judge showed his attitude with his actions when he goes to a consulting room after each petition to make a decision. In her turn, lawyer Lusine Sahakyan said the judge could not simply be impartial as the trial was being held at the Russian military base in rough violation with the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia. It speaks to the biased attitude of the judge. Valery Permyakov, in his turn, did not mind the lawyers’ petition to challenge the judge. The judge again retired to the consulting room to make a decision. 15.19 Upon returning from the consultation room, Judge Harutyun Movsesyan announced that the petition submitted by the relatives of the Avetisyan family was not grounded. Artur Sakunts asked for time to prepare for the trial. judge announced a break of 30 minutes. 15.08 The relatives of the Avetsiyan family massacred last year in Gyumri by Valery Permyakov, a 20-year-old Russian soldier, today a petition for the proceedings to be transferred to the Shirak court of general jurisdiction. The previous court sitting showed that proper conditions are not provided for lawyers. Permyakov cannot consult with his lawyers in a proper way either. During the previous sitting, we could not hear his replies properly which is a flagrant violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Holding the trial at a Russian base, the Court shows that it is not conducive to an unbiased and effective investigation,” said Artur Sakunts. the relatives of the victims also complained about some inconveniences in the small courtroom of the military base, including shortage of chairs, absence of proper desks, poor acoustics and asked for better conditions to be provided for them at the next hearing. The Court also heard Permyakov’s opinion about the petition. “For me, it makes no difference,” he said. The Court retired to consider the petition.
