Defence in "Case of Seven": Armenian authorities hold provocations

Today the advocates of the defendants in the "Case of Seven" have made a statement, in which they assert that the authorities of Armenia organized a number of provocations during today's court session. According to Ovik Arsenyan, advocate of Alexander Arzumanyan, the reinforced securities at the court building, redressed policemen who filled the courtroom by one third and verbal skirmishes in the courtroom allow asserting use of provocations.

"The authorities have understood that if the process goes on under the law as it was during the first session, all the evidences moved against the defendants will be refuted; therefore they decided to use provocations. The authorities have put the aim - to hold the trial behind closed doors," Mr Arsenyan has stated.

Today, the court session on the "Case of Seven" has begun with scandals and collisions of relatives of the defendants with policemen both outside and inside the courtroom, one third of which was filled in well before the session by unknown persons of athletic body-build.

Neda, Alexander Arzumanyan's sister, could not get into the courtroom. High-ranking policeman named Vladimir Osipyan would not let her to enter, having stated that the room was overcrowded. Former Prime Minister Grant Bagratyan and leaders of some opposition parties also failed to get to the session.

The session started today with a 40-minute delay, which was explained by the presiding judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan by a poor health condition of defendant Grigor Voskerchyan.

All the seven defendants have loudly refuted this version. Then, the presiding judge announced a half-hour break. After the break he postponed the trial till December 27 under the motive that the defendants' contempt of the court.

Stepan Voskanyan, advocate of Grigor Voskerchyan, told journalists that his client was beaten in the SIZO "Nubarashen" by special fighters who conducted a search in his cell. His face and head were wounded. Grigor Voskerchyan, who had strong headache and tinnitus, asked to be examined by a doctor.