Shant Harutyunyan sent out of the courtroom (video)
A court in Yerevan today continued the hearing in the case of political activist Shant Harutyunyan, who was arrested last November in connection with an anti-government march in Yerevan, and the other 13 people detained after they had resorted to a political rebellion as an act of desperation. During today’s sitting, Chairman of the Tseghakron Party Shant Harutyunyan was sent out of the courtroom because he decided to ask questions to police officer Artak Avetisyan, a witness in the case, in a standing position. Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan ordered Harutyunyan to remain seated but the later disobeyed. The judge announced a 30-minute recess. Shant Harutyunyan was especially angered by the witness's testimony and before leaving the courtroom he reminded Avetisyan of the consequences of perjury. Shant Harutyunyan was arrested on November 5 as he attempted to head to the Presidential Office together with a group of supporters to ‘blow up the building’ as he had earlier stated. He was immediately charged under Article 316.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (violence against a representative of the authorities that is dangerous for life or health). However, in April 2014, the charges against political activist were replaced with Article 258 Section 4 (hooliganism committed with a weapon or another item used as a weapon). Harutyunyan faces up to 7 years in prison under new charges.
