Shamshyan doesn't accept the "favour"
The Court of Criminal Appeals has done "a favour" to Gagik Shamshyan, photojournalist of pro-opposition Aravot and Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspapers.
The Court has amnestied Gagik Shamshyan and remitted a fine of 350 000 drams.
Under the Armenian Legislature a person cannot be amnestied twice within a year.
Gagik Shamshyan reminded Judge Mher Aghramanian that in 2007 he had been pardoned twice. "Shush, we have done you a favour," replied the judge.
"I don't need their favour. They had better not intervene with my work and deny my access to the court. Journalists must have entry to courtrooms."
Gagik Shamshyan says the judge thought he would be unable to pay the fine and, in this way, would become dependent of them. "Our editorial office is ready to pay the sum if I have really committed a crime. But I have done nothing to be sued or amnestied. Let them amnesty Judge Gagik Avetisyan for a perjury and alleged charges instituted against me."
Gagik Shamshyan is going to appeal Mher Aghramanian's "favour" at the Ministry of Justice and submit with the Ministry the amnesty documents.
Remind that Mr. Shamshyan was charged with disobeying the orders of Judge Gagik Avetisyan and verbally abusing him during the August 8, 2008 trial of Smbat Ayvazyan. The only testimony the court heard against the photo-journalist was given by court officers
