Advocates motion for judge’s resignation
The RA Appellate Court today hears the appeal of Nikol Pashinyan's advocates against a verdict of a Yerevan court.
The advocates demand that the court annul the verdict of General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan's Kentron and Nork-Marash Districts sentencing chief editor of Haykakan Zhamanak Daily Nikol Pashinyan to seven years' imprisonment.
As soon as the trial commenced the advocates demanded resignation of three judges substantiating their demand by their partiality in the hearings on March 1 events.
The judges retired to consider the motion for resignation.
As usual the courtyard is crowded by proponents of the Armenian National Congress (HAK).
Nikol Pashinyan, a prominent opposition figure and newspaper editor, was sentenced seven years in prison on trumped-up charges stemming from the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan.
The ruling, strongly condemned by the main opposition Armenian National Congress, disqualified Pashinyan from a general amnesty declared by the Armenian authorities in June. The amnesty led to the release of dozens of other opposition members arrested following the deadly clashes between security forces and opposition protesters demanding a re-run of the February 2008 presidential election.
After a fifteen minute recess, the court denied the motion.
The sitting was adjourned till March 4.
