In Armenia, defendants in case of "Million Mask March" claim their relatives are persecuted

In Yerevan, the trial court of general jurisdiction of the administrative districts of Kentron-Nork-Marash has started listening to the prosecutors in the case against Shant Arutyunyan, the leader of the "Tsegakron" Party, and other participants of the action of November 5, 2013. Prosecutor Gevorg Gevorgyan read out the reports of investigators in the case and instigated a strong reaction of the defence.

At the court hearing held on August 22, advocate Ara Zakaryan emphasized that the investigating authorities "failed to examine video records from the action of November 5, 2013, which would prove unlawful actions of the police prior to, during and after the march."

Defendant Vardan Vardanyan has again raised the question of pressure, including psychological pressure, on activists, when they were detained on November 5, 2013, and brought to the Central police station. The defendant has also claimed that his family members are being persecuted after at the court hearing on August 15, he had complained that Vladimir Gasparyan, the Chief of the Armenian Police, had used violence against him at the police station.

According to the defendant, after his complaint, their neighbours are being visited by people who ask questions about his family members and their friends and acquaintances. Shant Arutyunyan has also claimed being subjected to pressure at the police station.

Advocate Inessa Petrosyan has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that at present, the defence are not going to complain to the court about the fact of pressure on the activists and that the statements made by Shant Arutyunyan and Vardan Vardanyan at the trial can be considered as an official appeal to the appropriate authorities, which, in turn, are to take them into consideration.