Arshak Svazyan says he is ready to hit Aram Manukyan again (video)
Arshak Svazyan, the 42-year-old man who attacked Armenian lawmaker Aram Manukyan in December, 2014, today pleaded guilty in a Yerevan court to charges against him and petitioned for a speedy trial. However, both the prosecutor and the aggrieved party opposed the motion, saying it is necessary to conduct a judicial inquiry first. They also said the motion for an expedited judicial process was groundless. The court also established procedures for investigating the evidence. The court will first hear the injured party – Aram Manukyan, then investigate the evidence and hear defendant Arshak Svazyan. The next court hearing is slated for May 13. After the hearing, Arshak Svazyan said he did not regret for what he had done, and if necessary, he was ready to beat Manukyan again. Aram Manukyan, a senior member of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK), was confronted by an unknown assailant as he was returning home on December 11, 2014. The attacker did not say anything to Manukyan, but at once started hitting him in the face and then took to flight. HAK representatives connected the attack with the lawmaker’s political activities and said it was politically motivated. Arshak Svazyan, a local resident, was detained on suspicion of the attack on Aram Manukyan. On December 20, Arshak Svazyan was charged with intentional infliction of bodily harm.
