"No riots took place on March 1"
Judge Mnatsakan Martirosian today decided that Prosecutor Koriun Piloyan should not be removed from the trial of editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily Nikol Pashinian.
After spending 2,5 hours in the retiring room, Judge Martirosian dismissed the advocates' motion for Piloyan's recusal and explained to the parties their rights and responsibilities.
Pashinian's advocate Ervand Varosian thinks no mass disorders took place on March 1, 2008.
"In the absence of a riot, neither Pashinian, nor anyone else can be considered the perpetrator of the riot. If Pashinian is charged under Article 225 of the Criminal Code, the accusation must be deeply grounded," said the advocate.
Speaking of Article 316 of the Criminal Code, the advocate reminded that the article was adopted in October 2007. "This article covers those who have suffered from the actions of police and aims to rid the police of responsibility," said the lawyer.
Varosian demanded that Judge Martirosian dismiss the criminal proceedings against Pashinian. The judge ignored the advocate's request finding it premature.
The advocates asked for 10 minutes to discuss their further action.
After the recess, the trial was adjourned till October 22.
The advocates had announced earlier that they were not able to work with their client in jail, since their conversation was being recorded.
