17:48, 11 November 2016

Charges against Khachatur Gichyan, "Sasna Tsrer" supporter, softened

The truck that drove at speed into the door of the building of the patrol-and-post regiment of the police. Yerevan, July 23, 2016. Photo by Tigran Petrosyan for the "Caucasian Knot"

The accusation of hostage-taking has been removed from Khachatur Gichyan, a 69-year-old citizen Georgia, suspected of providing a truck to the "Sasna Tsrer" group, said his advocate Sarkisyan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Gichyan was arrested on July 20 and charged with helping the armed group, which captured the building of the patrol-and-post regiment of the Armenian police. According to the advocate, Gichyan refused to plead guilty.

The armed group "Sasna Tsrer", consisting of supporters of the oppositional "Constituent Parliament", kept the building of the above regiment on July 17-31; then, the group surrendered.

Khachatur Gichyan is still accused of capturing the buildings and the truck, while the charge of hostage-taking has been lifted, the "NEWS.am" is quoting Sarkisyan as saying.

According to the advocate, the court in Yerevan has extended Gichyan's arrest by two months, but the judgement will be appealed against.

He has also reminded that his client is a citizen of Georgia, the "Interfax-Azerbaijan" reports.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.