Defence reminds court of Zhirair Sefilyan's military merits

On March 2, Araik Papikyan, an advocate of Zhirair Sefilyan, the leader of the movement "100th anniversary without regime", delivered a seven-hour speech at a hearing of the Yerevan court. According to the advocate, prosecutors are trying to hide the mitigating circumstances in the Zhirair Sefilyan's case, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Zhirair Sefilyan, the leader of the movement "100th anniversary without regime", was charged with organizing illegal arms trafficking, plotting riots and seizure of a police building in Yerevan.

"The prosecutor stated that my client took part in the defence of the borders. They keep silent about Zhirair Sefilyan's role in the Karabakh war. In particular, the fact that Zhirair Sefilyan commanded a battalion during the war is hushed up. And they voiced not a single word about the fact that my client got the Order of the Combat Cross of the First Degree. According to the regulations, it is awarded for exceptional courage, dedication and skills shown in protecting and securing the homeland's safety," noted advocate Araik Papikyan.

Meanwhile, Araik Papikyan called accusations of preparation of mass riots fabricated. "On the contrary, my client called for observance of constitutional provisions, and protest actions were of peaceful nature," the advocate emphasized.

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