On 31 March, the Anti-Corruption Criminal Court presided over by Judge Tigran Davtyan, continued the court session in the case of the National Nero of Armenia, former Minister of Emergency Situations Affairs Andranik Piloyan and 12 other defendants.
It should be noted that in addition to Andranik Piloyan, Ashot Hakobyan, Vigen Mkrtchyan, Hrachya Yeremyan, Mihrdat Matevosyan, Artur Ohanyan, Ara Yaghjyan, Gor Hambardzumyan, Artak Beibutyan, Tatul Gevorgyan, Tigran Gasparyan, Gagik Poghosyan and Vigen Grigoryan (arrested) were also charged.
According to Iravaban.net, at the beginning of today’s court session, Ara Yaghjian’s lawyer, Tigran Abrahamyan, submitted a motion to change the measure of restraint of his client. Currently, the measure of restraint “signature not to leave” has been applied to the defendant, which the defender suggested to be replaced by bail in the amount of 2 million AMD. Tigran Abrahamyan mentioned that Yaghjian fulfilled all the duties assigned to him in a proper manner. The latter is a businessman and needs to be away from the country to participate in various meetings, conferences, and business forums.
“It is obvious that even if Yaghjian is found guilty of this absurd charge, he will be sentenced to a fine, the maximum amount of which cannot exceed 400,000 AMD. He is ready to pay bail in the amount of 2 million AMD, which can be a sufficient guarantee that Yaghjian will not hide due to the possible fear of being fined 400,000 AMD and will not avoid the fulfillment of his duties,” Tigran Abrahamyan said.
According to Koryun Serobyan, the prosecutor in the case, the current measure of restraint was applied based on the fear that Ara Yaghjian might go abroad and not be at the disposal of the body conducting the proceedings. “Bail is an unsuitable deterrent for neutralizing that basis of fear.”
However, the court satisfied the submitted measure of restraint, because the measure of restraint “bail” provides ensuring the proper behavior of the person at this stage of the investigation.
Judge Tigran Davtyan proposed to make the issue of the measure of restraint of Vigen Grigoryan, the only detainee in the case, a subject of discussion, as the term of detention expires on 13 April. The accuser stated that there are still grounds for applying the measure of restraint against the defendant, no significant circumstances have emerged, and no changes have taken place. “I think that it is necessary to extend the term of the measure of restraint. Measures related to health problems have been taken.”
Vigen Grigoryan’s defender Karen Ghonyan announced that the measure of restraint should be replaced, and offered bail. In addition, the answer to the examination appointed in December by the court decision has not yet been received. He mentioned that during the previous court session, the defendant’s health worsened, the medical workers advised not to continue with the convened session.
“After that, research was conducted, the blood pressure was 100/200. You don’t need to be a specialist or a doctor to understand that this is not normal. In addition, it is necessary to conduct many studies in a multi profile hospital in order to find out what causes such a pressure indicator. A new disease has appeared,” the defense attorney did not want to disclose the details in court, only handed over documents to the court and the prosecution. According to him, his client needs specific treatment due to the mentioned disease.
Karen Ghonyan also presented the certificate provided by the “St. Grigor Lusavorich” Medical Center, which stated that the client was diagnosed with tuberculosis (pneumonia).
“I am asking you again, apply house arrest at least,” Vigen Grigoryan said.
The court decided to extend the detention applied to Vigen Grigoryan for a period of 3 months on 2 grounds: the defendant may obstruct the investigation of the case and there is a possibility of committing a new crime. The judge also discussed the issue of allowing the defendant’s visits, which are currently closed.
The accuser stated that he does not object to meetings with family members.
“The court decides to remove the ban on visits and other means of communication, regarding close relatives,” Tigran Davtyan said.
Further the prosecutor published the indictments of all the defendants, including Vigen Grigoryan.
Karen Ghonyan announced that his client does not accept the charge.
The indictment, stated that Vigen Grigoryan, being in a close relationship with the Minister of Internal Affairs Andranik Piloyan, and requested from a number of people and received illegal remuneration in the amount of 1700-2500 US dollars from each of them, for accepting to work in different units of the ministry.
The court hearing was postponed and scheduled for 14 April.
Yevgenya Hambardzumyan
