Ovik Arsenyan

This is the second such decision involving this judge. The first was taken at a session on 11 September, when after the petition of main prosecutor Zelim Sargsyan, the court, without retiring for consultations, decided to “temporarily discharge lawyer Ovik Arsenyan” until clarification of circumstances surrounding the obtaining of his (lawyer’s) patent. While on 11 September the lawyer voluntary left the hall, on 16 September he refused, and was removed by police order.

The trial has lasted little more than a month (it began on 29 July), but the prosecution has already had some difficulties. Defendants Armen Sargsyan (the brother of the former prime minister killed on 27 October, 1999), and Aram Sargsyan (the leader of the “Republic” political party), deny everything said under interrogation

Commenting on the court proceedings, the organisation “Helsinki Association” informed PRIMA that lawyer Ovik Arsenyan had frequently taken part in political trials. He defended Dzhanik Adamyan, accused of slandering the Armenian president, and represented the interestsof the family of Galusta Dilanyan, who was murdered in a police station. He is one of the few lawyers in Armenia who really protect human rights, according to the Armenian Helsinki Association.