Advocates file another motion
Under a recent structural reform of the Armenian judiciary approved by the parliament, the Criminal Procedure Code and other specialised tribunals have been disbanded and replaced by general courts of first instance. The change took effect on March 1 and meant that the so-called "case of the seven" would be taken up by the court of first instance of Yerevan's Kentron and Nork-Marash districts.
Despite that, the Criminal Court of Shengavit district continued the trial on Wednesday, March 4.
The judge in the case, Mnatsakan Martirosyan came forth with clarifications about the amendments to Criminal Procedure Code under which defendants can be removed from the courtroom in case they demonstrate disrespect for the Court.
The Judge's statement aroused protest among the defendants. Jailed former foreign minister Alexander Arzumanyan began enumerating the contradictions in the Code caused by the amendments.
"According to Article 23 of the Code, the presence of the sides in a trial is compulsory while according to the disputed amendments their presence is not obligatory. You ignore the Code. We suggest fixing all contradictions and applying to the National Assembly. Upon the Prosecutor's request the National Assembly introduced amendments to the Code but I see numerous contradictions. Our illiterate MPs have exposed the Court to danger," said Arzumanyan.
Another defendant, parliament deputy Miasnik Malkhasyan said: "Probably you are short of time and cannot study the amendments. You have been transferred to another court and we advise you to seize the opportunity and tender a resignation."
After the defendants' speeches the advocates motioned for the Judge's resignation. The motion was supported by the relatives of the March 1 victims.
Koryun Piloyan, the chief trial prosecutor, backed the judge and accused the oppositionists and their lawyers of deliberately dragging out the proceedings.
Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan retired to consider the motion.
