14:38, 2 February 2015

Verdict to participants of "Million Mask March" upheld in Armenia

Hearing in the Armenian Court of Appeal (CoA) on the case of "Million Mask March" participants. Yerevan, January 30, 2015. Photo by Armine Martirosyan for the ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Today, the Armenian Court of Appeal (CoA) dismissed the advocates' complaint in the case of "Million Mask March".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the first session of the CoA was held on December 27, 2014.

On November 5, 2013, the "Million Mask March" was held in Yerevan, during which there were marchers' clashed with the police. On October 17, 2014, the court of general jurisdiction of the district Kentron-Nork-Marash sentenced 14 participants of the march to various terms in prison for hooliganism. The organizer of the march Shant Arutyunyan received six years in prison, his 15-year-old son – four years of conditional imprisonment. The activists did not agree with the verdict and appealed against it.

Today, Arshak Khachatryan, the Chairman of the CoA, announced the decision on the complaint, according to which the verdict was upheld.

The activists' defence and relatives said they were not surprised with the decision and intend to appeal against it at the Court of Cassation.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent