Court Hearing Of Isahak Malkhasian’s Case Postponed Until April 25

COURT HEARING OF ISAHAK MALKHASIAN’S CASE POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 25

Noyan Tapan
April 22, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The court of Yerevan’s Shengavit
community (chairman – Judge Gagik Poghosian) postponed the April 21
court sitting to examine the case of Isahak Malkhasian charged with
violence against a representative of authorities and carrying a gas,
cold steel or dart weapon until April 25. I. Malkhasian is brother of
National Assembly deputy Myasnik Malhasian charged with instigation
of mass disorder combined with murder and usurpation of state power.

At the previous court sitting, I. Malkhasian declared that he rejects
his defence lawyer Melania Arustamian who defended him during the
investigation and he asked to involve a new lawyer. Lawyer Seda
Safarian stated in court on April 21 that she signed an agreement with
the defendant’s relatives on April 19 so she is not familiar with the
materials of the case, she does not even know what crime the defendant
is charged with. Moreover, I. Malkhasian in his turn said that he is
not familiar with the case materials either, while the note of the
investigation that he has been acquainted with the case materials is
a result of the "deception of the investigator". The court decided
to give time to the defendant so that he will familiarize himself
with the case materials.