Nine advocates boycott court hearing in "Sasna Tsrer" case

On July 19, the court hearing on the first case against the "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils of Sassoun) began with a delay. Court officials did not allow advocates Musheg Shushanyan and Araik Papikyan to enter the court building, since they refused to provide their briefcases for inspection, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The court session began in the absence of the advocates.

Judge Artush Gabrielyan has stated that advocate Musheg Shushanyan and Araik Papikyan are absent for an unreasonable excuse and announced the application of sanctions against the defenders. "The court will appeal to the Chamber of Advocates to bring them to responsibility," stated the judge.

Nine advocates attending the court hearings have announced a boycott of the court session.

According to advocate Inessa Petrosyan, the judge acted illegally when he applied sanctions against Musheg Shushanyan and Araik Papikyan. Inessa Petrosyan stated that to make such a decision, the court would have had to go to an advisory room.

"Besides, the defence requires ensuring the presence of all parties to the trial at the next court hearing," noted Inessa Petrosyan, and after that all nine advocates left the courtroom.

Members of the defendants also boycotted the court hearing together with the advocates.

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