Margar Ohanyan to mention names?
"I am the only one out of the four culprits who hasn't had anything to do with the benzene," said former Road Patrol Chief Margar Ohanyarn during a trial at the court of general jurisdiction of Kentron-Nork Marash districts today.
Ohanyan, as well as the three high-ranking road patrol officers, are charged with appropriating the 574,420 liters of benzene that was allocated for the police, causing the government 160 million drams in damages.
In addition to Margar Ohanyan, the other three culprits refused to testify in court today. According to their preliminary testimonies, Margar Ohanyan had instructed them to appropriate the benzene. Ohanyan's attorney viewed the testimonies given during the preliminary inquiry as groundless and mentioned that the culprits had to speak in court as well.
"They had to testify since they all have given testimonies during the preliminary investigation on different days and hours," said attorney Vasakyan.
Former commander of the 2nd battalion of Road Patrol officers, culprit Stepan Karakhanyan mentioned that the benzene was given normally in 2008 and was gradually reduced. According to him, when he had asked Margar Ohanyan about that, the latter had told him that the authorities knew about that.
"I have many questions regarding their testimonies, but I don't have the opportunity to ask those questions because the criminal procedure code doesn't allow me to. It is their right to not answer the questions. That is why I am asking for three days to ask my questions here," declared Margar Ohanyan.
Judge Mkhitar Papoyan upheld Margar Ohanyan's petition and postponed the trial.
The trial will continue on February 20. Before the end of today's trial, Ohanyan declared: "I will say all that I know during the next trial."
