02 May 2008, 10:46
Several trials over opposition activists adjourned in Armenia
Trials over opposition activists in Erevan, Gyumri and other cities are held with overcrowded court rooms, amidst pickets and other actions of protest. Several judges decided to adjourn the court sessions.
The trial held on April 30 in Gyumri over Petros Makeyan, Ashot Zakarian and Shota Sagatelian, opposition activists, was held in the midst of trample, whistle and shouts of the audience addressed to the police officers in the room, the judge and the prosecutor. The trial was adjourned due to the failure of witnesses to appear, who had claimed various circumstances. According to Petros Makeyan, the behavior of witnesses is controlled from a single center with the aim to prolong the proceedings. Note that the three opposition activists are charged with hampering the election process. The trial was adjourned till May 7.
On April 30, the first instance court in the Erevan community "Kentron-Nork-Marash" decided to change the measure of restraint for an undertaking not leave to Erdzhanik Abgarian, opposition activist, who had been under arrest from March 3. The court explained its decision to change the Abgarian's measure of restraint by the state of his health.
On April 29, several court sessions in Erevan were interrupted and adjourned for various terms due to the atmosphere in the court rooms. Similar atmosphere also existed during the trial over Levon Khachatrian, member of the board of the Armenian National Movement, who was charged under the same article with Matevosian. The trial was adjourned till May 5.
The trial over David Arakelian, the fiduciary of Levon Ter-Petrocian, was also held in an overcrowded court room. The audience periodically rose and chanted: "Freedom!". The trial was adjourned till May 15.
Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent
