Defence of "Sasna Tsrer" demands court's recusal

The today's court hearing on the second case against members of the "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) unit is being held in the absence of 15 out of 18 defendants, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Advocate Lusine Sahakyan has submitted a motion for the court's recusal. She has noted that the court committed gross violations of the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to the advocate, in particular, the court violated the defendants' right to defence and the right to advocate secrecy.

"Even in a most backward country, it is difficult to imagine that a court can seize and publish correspondence between a defendant and his advocate. Besides, with the judge's connivance, the defendants were subjected to violence in the courthouse. You committed violation of the second European Convention on Human Rights," Lusine Sahakyan said while addressing the judge chairing the trial.

The advocate has announced leaving the courtroom because of the absence of her clients at the court hearing. Advocate Yervand Varosyan has also left the courtroom.

The Lusine Sahakyan's motion was supported by other defenders. In turn, advocate Grisha Balasanyan accused the judge of collusion with prosecutors. "The defence has a video record showing how prosecutors are going to your office. Given the fact, the defence doubts the objectivity of the court," Grisha Balasanyan noted.

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