Defence of Zhirair Sefilyan claims falsification of evidence

In the case against Zhirair Sefilyan, the leader of the opposition movement "100^th Anniversary Without Regime", public prosecutors use falsified material evidence. This is claimed by the oppositionist's defence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has informed that Zhirair Sefilyan, the leader of the movement "100^th anniversary without regime", has been accused of organizing arms trafficking, plotting mass riots and preparing to seize the police building in Yerevan.

At the court hearing held on November 24, two submachine guns and rounds were presented, which, according to public prosecutors, the oppositionist and his supporters planned to use to seize strategic facilities. Among the evidence presented, there were also metal pipes, a loudspeaker and construction helmets.

In particular, Tigran Airapetyan, an advocate of Zhirair Sefilyan, drew the court's attention to the fact that plastic bags, in which submachine guns were wrapped, bore no information about the place of their seizure, confirmed with a seal.

"There is only a seal of the Yerevan police station 'Mashtots' and the Centre of Expertise. The defence believes the submachine guns were sent for examination from the police station. The police found two spoiled submachine guns and fabricated a case against my client," the defender told the court.

"Sand is falling out of the rusty iron pipes, which we see among the items presented as the material evidence. There are no doubts the pipes could not be used as bludgeon. We may involuntarily ask ourselves: why did investigators seize them? The answer is simple: to get the opportunity to support the charge. The items we see today as material evidence can be used to start a construction, not a revolution," continued Tigran Airapetyan.

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