“Do not repeat the mistakes of other two courts!”
A Los Angeles-based association for human rights protection condemns the RA Appellate Court's ruling in the case of Nikol Pashinyan, chief editor of Haykakan Zhamanak daily. The association argues that the Court of Appeals has deliberately violated the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia. In particular, the Court failed to ensure equal footing for the sides, exerted open pressure on the defense and witnesses for the defendant and "took for granted the motions and evidence submitted by the prosecutor."
"The chase against Nikol Pashinyan has proved that
1. Pashinyan has been and is still prosecuted for his political stance and activities.
2. all verdicts in the case have been returned by the country's authorities rather than by courts.
3. authorities pursued political vendetta against Pashinyan which conflicts with the country's constitution and other laws.
The association calls on the Armenian Cassation Court to avoid repeating the mistakes of the other two courts [First Instance Court of Kentron and Nork Marash districts and Court of Appeals], to dismiss the case and to attain a just verdict for the sake of the Republic of Armenia.
The Court of Appeals on Tuesday handed down its verdict upholding the 7 years sentence passed by a lower court against "Haykakan Zhamanak" editor and opposition activist Nikol Pashinyan.
