The decade-long legal saga surrounding Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharian reached its conclusion on Wednesday in Yerevan. Kocharian, who led Armenia from 1998 to 2008, agreed to invoke the statute of limitations on corruption charges while steadfastly professing his innocence. This move brings an end to a trial that has been as much about political rivalry as it has about the pursuit of justice.
Kocharian’s legal troubles began in July 2018, following the ‘velvet revolution’ that saw Nikol Pashinian assume power. Initially, the accusations against the ex-president were tied to a 2008 crackdown on opposition protesters. Later, charges were added, alleging that he had accepted a hefty $3 million bribe from an Armenian businesswoman.
Kocharian, alongside his former chief of staff and two retired generals, began their trial proceedings in May 2019. The former president dismissed the charges as politically motivated, portraying them as a ‘political vendetta’ orchestrated by Pashinian.
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In a legal twist, the coup-related charges were annulled in 2021 by the Constitutional Court of Armenia. However, the bribery allegations remained. Judge Anna Danibekian eventually closed the case, citing the expiration of the statute of limitations without pronouncing a verdict of acquittal or conviction.
Interestingly, Kocharian had previously resisted invoking the statute, holding out for full acquittal. But in a change of stance, he chose to invoke the statute to seek medical treatment abroad.
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The conclusion of the trial carries significant financial implications as well. It results in the return of 2 billion drams ($5 million) in bail money to his daughter Gayane and the unfreezing of Kocharian’s assets.
Despite the charges, Kocharian, who now leads Armenia’s primary opposition alliance, would have evaded prison even if found guilty due to the statute of limitations.