Deputy Yerevan Police Chief Not Summoned for Questioning in Oppositi

Deputy Yerevan Police Chief Not Summoned for Questioning in Opposition
Activist Trial

07.23.2014 14:51 epress.am

Police officers named as victims in the case of political activist
Shant Harutyunyan and his friends continued to be questioned in court
today. The first three victims, according to the court, were
questioned in previous court hearings. Yerevan Deputy Police Chief
Valeriy Osipyan (pictured) named as the fourth victim in the case was
to have been examined in court today; however, Judge Mnatsakan
Martirosyan, starting the court session 40 minutes late, invited
Police Colonel Khachik Avetisyan, named as the fifth victim in the
case, to court.

The judge provided no explanation why Osipyan, who directed the
actions of police on November 5, 2013, did not appear in court. Note,
at previous court sessions, Shant Harutyunyan asked the court to
question Osipyan first, since ahead of the march, he had a private
conversation with him, and Harutyunyan believes this fact is important
in the consideration of the case.

Recall, Shant Harutyunyan and his supporters were arrested on November
5, 2013, in Yerevan, at the start of an anti-government march. They
are accused of “hooliganism” involving weapons or objects used as
weapons. Several local human rights activists and international
organizations consider the men political prisoners.

From: A. Papazian