Armenian court refuses to close Robert Kocharyan's trial

After an advocate offered to disclose the testimony of one of the witnesses, the prosecutor demanded to hold the court sessions on the case of Robert Kocharyan behind closed doors, but the court rejected this demand. About 200 Kocharyan's supporters and opponents rallied at the courthouse.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia, is accused within the case of law enforcers' clashes with oppositionists on March 1-2, 2008. At the court session on May 14, he spoke about the dispersal of protests. According to his version, the decision was made, because special services reported that the demonstrators were arming.

Ayk Alumyan, an advocate, wanted to make public the testimony of Arshak Karapetyan, a former head of the intelligence department of the Armenian General Staff. Earlier, advocates had stated that only Arshak Karapetyan testified against Robert Kocharyan.

The prosecutor, Petros Petrosyan, opposed the announcement of Karapetyan's testimony, as this "might hamper the justice."

On May 13 and 14, Kocharyan's supporters gathered at the courthouse and demanded to release him. A union of his supporters has been created in Armenia; its members are ready "to do everything possible to restore justice and release Robert Kocharyan from custody."