On 12 April, the trial in the case of Judge Arusyak Aleksanyan, her assistant Tamara Petrosyan and Lawyer Erik Aleksanyan was continued in the Anti-Corruption Court.
On 17 October, 2022, the Supreme Judicial Council approved the petitions of the General Prosecutor’s Office regarding the initiation of criminal prosecution against Judge Arusyak Aleksanyan and provided consent to deprivation of liberty. Within the framework of the same case, the lawyer Erik Aleksanyan was also charged under Article 46-441 of the Criminal Code, that is, he assisted an official in abusing office or official powers or the influence caused by them or exceeding the powers. In the framework of this case, Arusyak Aleksanyan’s assistant Tamara Petrosyan was also charged.
The defendants do not accept the charges against them.
According to Iravaban.net, Arusyak Aleksanyan, whose detention period expires on 18 April, was not brought to today’s court session. The presiding judge Vahe Dolmazyan announced that a notification was received from the Penitentiary Medical Center informing that the defendant could not appear at the court session due to her health condition. In addition, a report was also received from “Abovyan” prison, in which it was mentioned that Arusyak Aleksanyan cannot appear at today’s court session during the whole day.
Prosecutor Armen Gevorgyan asked the court to take measures especially regarding the information received from “Abovyan” prison. “Based on what the latter came to a such conclusion that it is not possible to ensure Arusyak Aleksanyan’s presence at the court session during the whole day. I think the employee of the penitentiary institution should have sufficient factual data regarding the deterioration of her health to be able to come to such a categorical conclusion.”
The Judge, in response to the accuser’s statement, said that appropriate measures have already been taken; a corresponding inquiry has been prepared and will be sent to the Penitentiary. “The Court has to postpone the hearing.”
During today’s court session, the issue of extending Arusyak Aleksanyan’s detention period was supposed to be discussed. The court tried to address this issue during the 7 April session, but the defense attorneys of the defendant strongly opposed, noting that addressing the issue 11 days before the expiration of the detention period is not acceptable. The lawyers mentioned that before the session scheduled for 14 April, one more session can be scheduled and the issue discussed. The session was scheduled for 12, April only Yerem Sargsyan from Arusyak Aleksanyan’s 5 defenders.appeared at the session.
Yevgenya Hambardzumyan
