Serop Der-Boghossian refused to enter court
A court in Lori Marz (province) today started hearing into the case of American-Armenian businessman Serop Der-Boghossian, former advisor to the Armenian Prime Minister and CEO of Akhtala Ore Processing Combine.
Der-Boghossian, who is charged with engaging in "involuntary sexual activities" with minors, today refused to enter the courtroom in the presence of reporters.
The Judge in the case Mushegh Harutyunyan satisfied the attorneys' petition to continue the trial without reporters.
However, the trial was adjourned till July 21 so that attorneys could familiarize themselves with the case materials.
Der-Boghossian was arrested in February, 2011, on paedophile charges and faces imprisonment of up to 15 years. News regarding his alleged paedophile activities in Akhtala, Alaverdi and Yerevan had been circulating for years. Residents of the town of Alaverdi had quietly accused Mr. Der-Boghossian of handing out large sums of cash to boys of destitute families in return for molesting them. Der-Boghossian denied all accusations against him, saying people were trying to offense his good reputation.
