In Yerevan, court finds prosecutor's son guilty of beating journalist

On October 9, in Yerevan, the court has pronounced the decision on the case of beating of journalist Ruben Grdzelyan. The court found Albert Manrikyan, a son of Mesrop Manrikyan, Prosecutor of the Kotaik Region of Armenia, guilty of the incident and fined him 50,000 drams (120 US dollars). The court also decided not to prosecute the journalist because of the absence of elements of crime in his actions.

The "Caucasian Knot" reported that Ruben Grdzelyan, the editor of the Yerevan Office of the IA "Regnum", was beaten by a group of people in the evening of May 12. Later, the journalist found out that among the people, who beat him, there were Movses Manrikyan, Prosecutor on Supervision of Legality of the Kotaik Region of Armenia, the son of the Prosecutor, and two other men. The incident occurred in the presence of the mother of the victim, his two minor children, his relative and his wife, who was on the 9th month of pregnancy.

After the incident, Ruben Grdzelyan filed a complaint to the police station, underwent a medical examination, which revealed that he got multiple injuries. Criminal proceedings were instituted.

The investigation into the case, conducted by the Special Investigatory Service, revealed no elements of crime in the actions of the Prosecutor, and the Prosecutor has obtained the status of the victim, and the Prosecutor's son accused Ruben Grdzelyan "of infliction of bodily harm".

During the court session, public prosecutor treated the guilt of the defendants as proven and demanded to fine Ruben Grdzelyan 150,000 drams and Albert Manrikyan 100,000 drams, the edition "Epress.am" reports.

The court found journalist Ruben Grdzelyan not guilty for the absence of elements of crime in his actions and acquitted him. At the same time, the court found Albert Manrikyan, the Prosecutor's son, guilty under Article 117 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia and fined him 50,000 drams, the "News.am" reports.

The journalist and his lawyer expressed their satisfaction with the verdict, the "News Armenia" reports.