4 MEN ACCUSED OF SETTING FIRE TO HAYSTACKS IN AN ARMENIAN VILLAGE WERE GRANTED AMNESTY
10.15.2013 20:04 epress.am
The Armavir District Court of First Instance, presided over by Judge
Vahe Khalatyan, today found the four men accused of disorderly conduct
and intentionally damaging another’s property (in this case, setting
fire to a haystack) guilty on all charges.
Aram Mughalyan and Robert Piloyan were sentenced to 2.5 years in
prison, while Gagik Araqelyan and Artur Klyan were sentenced to 1 year
and 1 month for setting fire to haystacks belonging to Norapat village
resident Siaband Khudoyan. However, all four defendants were granted
amnesty and were released from the courtroom. The accused and their
attorneys claim there were incidents of torture and violations in the
case. As a sign of protest, Mughalyan had gone on a hunger strike at
the end of September, refusing also to drink water for 4 days.
The accused have said that they did not set fire to the haystacks,
while the victim, Siaband Khudoyan made a statement three times in
January, each time saying that he had not suffered any damages. Only
six months later did he speak of damages.
After being released, Mughalyan (pictured) told reporters that he was
expecting this ruling, judging from the investigation. “If there was
no amnesty, they would’ve placed me on probation, since after such a
commotion they couldn’t imprison us, because this case is absurd. It’s
like catching an innocent man, locking him up for half a year, and
saying, you should be grateful,” he said.
Asked he plans for the near future, Mughalyan said now he will be
more active and will fight more: “The country did this for me; let’s
see what I can do for the country.”
He added that he’ll consult with his attorney and most likely he’ll
appeal the guilty verdict. Robert Piloyan and Gagik Araqelyan also
intend to appeal.
“I didn’t need to be released under amnesty; I need to be acquitted. I
can’t say why we were framed, since I wasn’t even at the scene of the
incident. I wonder where the scene of the incident is [actually],”
said Araqelyan.
From: Baghdasarian