World champion to appeal case
"If the court doesn't reach a correct verdict and doesn't release me, let them execute me," announced world boxing champion, ANC activist Samson Khachatryan in the beginning of the trial at the Kentron and Nork-Marash districts' general jurisdiction court. The latter partially met his expectations and those of the people gathered in the courtroom.
The court found Samson Khachatryan guilty under Part 1, Article 316 of the RA Criminal Code and sentenced him to a year in prison. However, under Article 77 of the RA Criminal Code, the court decided to apply the penalty conditionally and set a one-year probation period. The great boxer was lifted out of the courtroom and was greeted by a large army of his supporters.
Samson Khachatryan's attorney Ara Zakaryan informed that he would appeal the verdict at the administrative court despite today's ruling.
Samson Khachatryan was arrested on March 13 and was suspected of applying force against a state representative during the ANC's rally held on March 1.
Also attending the trial was the injured party, including police officers Karen Sargsyan and Mihran Keshishyan. Eyewitnesses Hakob Santrosyan, Levon Khachatryan, Roman Kirakosyan and Kostan Budaghyan gave their testimonies and in Budaghyan's testimony, there were serious disagreements between the culprit and judge Mkhitar Papoyan.
The attendees sharply reacted to the testimonies of the injured and the eyewitnesses and the judge was forced to give warnings to call the court to order.
According to Samson Khachatryan's friends and relatives, all the testimonies were false.
"It's not right that Samson beat two people. The video showing the clash proves that Samson hit only one person after an offensive remark," Samson's friend Susanna Hamasyan told "A1+".
According to Samson Khachatryan's son, there is no country in the world where defending a woman is considered a criminal act.
"This is a humiliating trial. If the authorities are not despicable, they will reach a fair verdict and will release my father," said Sargis Khachatryan.
