19:00, 17 March 2009

Trial on "Case of Seven" in Armenia goes on without defendants and their advocates

Today's session on the "Case of Seven" in the capital of Armenia was held in an empty courtroom, without defendants and their advocates; only Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan and prosecution party were present. The Judge complained of disrespectful attitude of advocates to the court and said that he would lodge a complaint to the Bar. Some minutes later the session was stopped and postponed by the Judge till March 23.

Mikael Danielyan, a well-known Armenian human rights activist and chairman of the Helsinki Association, made his comments on the "Case of Seven" trial and said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent: "This case is a mockery and a slap in the face of the justice. A litigation held under the law requires the presence of all the parties: prosecution, defence and defendants, however, it's not the case here."

"The trial on the 'Case of Seven' shows that the Judge and prosecution 'run in the same harness' following the authorities' order," the human rights activist has concluded.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan

Source: CK correspondent