The first session of Mataghis Case was postponed
00:00, July 4, 2008 | Right to Fair Trial
The first session of Mataghis case restarted on July 4, 2008 in RA North Criminal Court – Gyumri Residence was postponed.
“I am asking the court to ensure the presence of our lawyers”-defendant Araik Zalyan announced.
North Criminal court upheld Arayik Zalyan’s request, and the lawsuit was postponed until 12 o’clock, July 17, 2008.
Hayk Alumyan and Stepan Voskanyan, attorneys on the case of Mataghis were not present at the session because they had not been appropriately informed by the court.
In the North Criminal Court Mataghis case is being examined on collegium principle by participation of Judges Harutyun Movsesyan /chairman/, Volodya Ghazaryan and Mesrop Makyan.
During the first session, anyway, some discrepancies between the materials of the case and information released by the defendants were revealed.
By the announcements of the defendants Arayik Zalyan, Musa Serobyan and Razmik Sargsyan, they were arrested unlawfully on April 19, 2004. An appropriate court decision for arrest has not been made, but they were moved to Martakert garrison house, then to Stepanakert garrison house. But April 24, 2004 was mentioned as detention date on the documents of the case.
Arthur Sakunts, the coordinator of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor said, “This is not the only violation”. He is sure that there could not be a new charge for the same people.
“RA Court of Cassation has made a decision on sending the case to a new preliminary investigation. According to the decision, N 720 of July 24, 2007 of RA Constitutional Court, by sending the case to additional preliminary investigation in accordance with the order as prescribed by RA Criminal Procedure Code, the court is becomes biased. The court also is becoming in favour of the prosecuting side, thus violating the right of the person to effective means of legal and judicial protection.”