Banuchyan’s trial continues
Vice-director of the Matenadaran Arshak Banuchyan's trial will continue at the Kentron and Nork-Marash district first instance court on July 29 at 3 p.m. A case was brought up against him on July 29, 2008 based on Point 3, Part 2, Article 179 of the RA Criminal Code for dissipation and Part 1 of Article 205 for evading taxes. His case was sent to court on December 2.
The inquiry is over and the court has started investigating the evidence. Banuchyan views his trial as political, but based on economic grounds. Let us mention that Banuchyan was head of Ter-Petrosyan's headquarters during the 2008 RA presidential elections and according to Banuchyan, there is absolutely no crime and the case is false.
"I am very calm because there is no evidence. I am letting things just unfold," said Arshak Banuchyan to "A1+".
According to his advocate Tigran Atanesyan, based on the articles, Banuchyan may receive 2-4 years in prison. But there are chances for amnesty if the court sentences him to three years in prison. The court has ruled the signature to not leave the country as a precautionary measure.
Let us recall that last year there had been a grant to publish a magazine dedicated to the session of the Board of Trustees of the Matenadaran. Howeve, Head of the Board of Trustees, Catholicos of All Armenians postponed the session and as executive director of "Friends of Matenadaran" Fund, Arshak Banuchyan asked not to publish the magazine. Investigators saw that as dissipation and charged Banuchyan for that. As for the second charge-evasion of taxes-according to the charge, Banuchyan has hidden the profits from postcards sold at the Matenadaran.
