Ex-President of Armenia Arrested for Overthrowing Constitutional Order
The Shengavit district court in Yerevan allowed the Special Investigative Service to arrest the second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, late Friday night. The discussions of the court lasted for 12 hours.
Kocharyan is charged according to Article 300.1 of the criminal code of Armenia, for actions aimed at the overthrowing the constitutional order in March 2008 when violating the constitutional requirements by using the army for a deadly crackdown of peaceful demonstrations against the official results of the presidential elections of February 19, 2008. Protesters demanding the annulment of the results due to "unprecedented and election violations."
Kocharyan will remain in pre-trial custody for two months, but the period may be extended. Kocharyan has stated the case is a politically motivated farse, while the opponents of Kocharyan call it a historical moment.
Prominent lawyers and human rights defenders confirm everything is in line with the constitution and the laws of the country.
Citizens gathered in the yard of the court greeted the court decision with applause and cheering.
Social media users and activists also greeted the news positively, stating the hope that finally one of the biggest traumas of Armenia’s modern history might be fully investigated and the former officials responsible for the attack against the peaceful demonstration, which left 10 dead and more than 200 wounded, will be punished.
The secretary general of Russian led military alliance Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Yuri Khachaturov, who is the representative of Armenia in the military alliance, was released on bail. According to his lawyer he has diplomatic immunity which was an obstacle to putting him in pre-trial custody as Kocharyan was. Khachaturov will pay 5 million Drams ($10,400) and will remain free without the right to leave the country.
On Friday, the SIS also confirmed the invitation extended to Armen Gevorgyan, one of the key figures of Kocharyan's administration, to come in for questioning in the frames of the March 1st case. Gevorgyan was the Secretary of the National Security Council during the abovementioned events and, according to opponents of Kocharyan, was a member of the secret headquarters organized for the crackdown on demonstrators in 2008.
By Karen Tovmasyan
Image source: Eurasianet