Random witnesses in the case?
Both witnesses in the case of Haykakan Zhamanak's chief editor Nikol Pashinian kept repeating the same thing: "Pashinian kicked a policeman." But none of them remembered the details.
Based on their testimony, the pre-trial body had filed charges against Pashinian under Article 316 of the RA Criminal Code (resistance against a government representative) in connection with the events of October 23, 2007, which were later attached to charges brought under Article 225.
One of the witnesses, Vazgen Serobian, today introduced as a random passer-by. He said that on October 23, 2007, at the intersection of Abovian and Koriun streets he saw demonstrators opening taxi doors and distributing flyers. A few minutes later, he refuted his testimony saying, "I do not know if the papers were leaflets or something else."
The witness added he had heard demonstrators swearing in the streets: "The police weren't cursing," said Vazgen Serobian.
In reply to Advocate Lusine Sahakian, if he was able to distinguish the swearers in the mob, the witness said: "They swore and shouted, "State."
The second witness, Karen Grigorian, said he had climbed the wall to watch the demonstrators and seen Pashinian after descending. In reply to the advocates' questions, Karen Grigorian said: "I do not know."
The next court sitting is due on October 29.
Drums beaten in the courtyard
The drummers taken to the police station from the courtyard during the previous court session were again in the courtyard today.
"I don't violate any law by drumming. I simply express my protest in this way. Let the police show me the laws I am breaching and I shall abide them," Sargis Khachatrian told A1+.
Hundreds of Pashinian's supporters gathered in the courtyard today chanting, "Release Nikol."
Astghik Aghekian, representative of the opposition Armenian National Congress, who was dragged in the courtyard by the police two days ago, was in the group.
"Though my wounds aren't healed I attend all protest actions. I struggle for my ideas and no one can stand on my way," Astghik Aghekian told A1+.
Tomorrow she will undergo a forensic examination.
