In Armenia, trial on revision of Pashinyan's sentence postponed till November 19

Nikol Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of the opposition newspaper "Aikakan Zhamanak", convicted in connection with the post-election events of 2008, is judicially challenging his sentence, arguing that it should be revised. The first hearing of the case was held on November 16 at the penitentiary establishment "Kosh", which was chaired by Judge Suren Mnoyan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 19 the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan communities Centre-Nork-Marash ruled to imprison Pashinyan for the term of seven years. In March, the Court of Appeal of Armenia ruled to apply amnesty and halved Pashinyan's term.

Ervand Varosyan, Nikol Pashinyan's advocate, noted during the court session on November 16 that after the amnesty decision the part of Pashinyan's remaining sentence was incorrectly calculated.

"Initially, they also took into account the period of stay under preventive arrest and halved not 7 years but a shorter term, which, of course, is a clear violation. As a result of all that Nikol Pashinyan will serve more and get at large in June 2013, that is, after the presidential election," said Varosyan, as quoted by the "Armenia Today".

In his turn, Prosecutor Akop Martirosyan, argued at the session by objecting to Pashinyan's advocate that the decision to reduce the sentence was lawful; and no violation was revealed.

Mr Varosyan has noted that such abrupt change of the prosecutor's was a surprise; therefore, the defence asked for break to prepare the answer. The trial was postponed till November 19, at 12:00 a.m. local time, the "NEWS.am" reports.