The court case of former Deputy Minister of Health Arsen Davtyan precided by Judge Artush Gabrielyan is being held at the Yerevan Court of First Instance today. Razmik Abrahamyan, Director of the Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, is involved as a defendant in this case as well..

During the hearing, videos that were secretly filmed by law enforcement bodies are being investigated.

The video shows Arsen Davtyan pulling out of his drawer the $ 3,000 which Razmik Abrahamyan had given to him.

In the video, Arsen Davtyan tells law enforcement that he didn’t know what was in Razmik Abrahamyan’s envelope. Advocates noted that the protocol clearly shows that Arsen Davtyan was not even aware of the amount of money in the envelope.

The trial was postponed and scheduled for 21February. Witnesses will also be questioned on that day.

It should be noted that the trial is being held behind closed doors.

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.

Diana Harutyunyan