The trial of Robert Kocharyan, the second President of the RA, former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, former CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov and former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan is being held today at the Shengavit residence of the Court of General Jurisdiction Yerevan.

During the court hearing, Kocharyan’s defendants filed a challenge to prosecutor Karen Bisharyan.

Judge Anna Danibekyan rejected the motion to challenge Karen Bisharyan.

The decision is not subject to appeal.

It should be reminded that  Robert Kocharyan Robert Kocharyan has been charged for the actions he performed in the period of 9 April 1998 through 9 April, 2008, holding the position of President of the Republic of Armenia, being the head of state by virtue of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and having the responsibility to observe the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, to ensure the normal functioning of the legislative, executive and judicial powers, as well as with the powers of the person to perform permanent administrative-organizational, and administrative-economic functions, has overthrown the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia, in criminal complicity with other persons.

In addition, using his official position with the support of Sаmavel Mayrapetyan, he received a particularly large sum of 927․000․000 AMD 3 000,000 bribe from Silva Hambardzumyan, the sole participant and director of TSSC Armenia LLC, the holder of 100% share of the company with special licenses for exploration for the exploitation of minerals in the RA, for not to impede the transaction to sell the 100% of share to a non-resident company in the Republic of Armenia.

Arrest was chosen as a measure of restraint for Robert Kocharyan.

Seyran Ohanyan is charged for overthrowing the constitutional order with partnership with other persons in 2008, when he was the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Signature not to leave was chosen as a measure of restraint for Seyran Ohanyan.

Yuri Khachaturov is charged charged for overthrowing the constitutional order with partnership with other persons in 2008, when he was the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, chief of the Yerevan garrison.

Bail was chosen as a measure of restraint for Yuri Khachaturov.

Armen Gevorgyan is charged for assisting Armenian President Robert Kocharyan in his capacity as chief of staff and secretary of the National Security Council from February 2006 to April 21, 2008, using his official position assisted Kocharyan to overthrow the RA constitutional order by removing obstacles and giving instructions.

In addition, Armen Gevorgyan, being an official in the state body with organizational and managerial functions, using his official position with the support of Samavel Mayrapetyan, he received in April 2008, a particularly large sum of 309.000.000 AMD equivalent to 1.000.000 USD bribe from Silva Hambardzumyan, the sole participant and director of TSSC Armenia LLC, the holder of 100% share of the company with special licenses for exploration for the exploitation of minerals in the RA, for not to impede the transaction to sell the 100% of share to a non-resident company in the Republic of Armenia; and at the same time concealing and distorting the true nature and origin of the mentioned money, he has legalized the proceeds of particularly large sums of money.

Signature not to leave was chosen as a measure of restraint for Armen Gevorgyan.

Note: A person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgment that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code