The trial of former Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan, his former Deputy Levon Yeranosyan, Head of the Police Internal Audit Department Vardan Tunyan and Commander of the Military Unit of Police Forces Gurgen Grigoryan continued in the Anti-Corruption Court on 28 June, under the Presiding Judge Vardges Sargsyan.
During this session, the questioning of witnesses continued. The witness Israel Safaryan approached the podium first.
According to Iravaban.net, 4 witnesses interrogated in the case were questioned during the session. Gurgen Grigoryan’s lawyer did not appear at the court session, but the latter stated that he does not see a problem in continuing the session without the presence of a lawyer.
According to the charges brought against Vladimir Gasparyan, from 1 November, 2011 to 10 May, 2018, while holding the position of Chief of Police, an apartment on Griboyedov Street was purchased and realized for 15 million drams. The apartment was allocated to Rafik Zakaryan Head of General of Department of Fight against Crime of Police, who did not need an apartment. In addition, in July 2017, another apartment was purchased in Etchmiadzin for 10 million drams. It was also given to the policeman Garegin Gasparyan, who did not need an apartment, and whose housing conditions had worsened.
In 2017, another apartment was purchased in Nerkin Shengavit for 10 million drams. Gasparyan took the mentioned apartment to the balance of the Police, and then gave it to non-commissioned officer Knarik Sasunyan, who was appointed as a musician of the police band 6 days ago, and who “provided producers’ services for Gasparyan’s daughter”.
Israel Safaryan was the person authorized by the Police who dealt with the process of donating the said apartments in notary offices. “I worked in the economic department, in the construction department. The Police had leased many areas, and our department was responsible for signing those lease agreements.”
The witness mentioned that he dealt with 2 documents: the power of attorney and the order of the Chief of Police.
Answering the questions of public prosecutor Tigran Yenokyan, he stated that the testimonies given during the preliminary investigation are credible; no pressure was applied to him.
While answering the questions of the Presiding Judge, Israel Safaryan said that he knows Rafik Zakaryan and Gareg Gasparyan, he went with them to the notary’s office.
Nelson Saroyan testified in court the next. The latter did not know what he should tell about in court. “What should I tell, why should I tell?”
The Judge noted that neither the trial participants nor the court shall tell the witness what to talk about in the court. “If you wouldn’t tell, I will record that you refuse to testify.”
Judge Vardges Sargsyan urged the witness to present his testimony on his own free will, after which the trial participants will ask him questions. “You are putting me in a bad situation. Many years have passed; I do not remember what questions they asked.”
Then the witness “remembered” that he was employed by the Military Police in 2001 or 2002, but did not show up for duty due to another job. He worked in Military Police until 2018 or 2019. “After I got my second job, I continued to receive a salary of 120-130 thousand drams from the Military Police.”
He states that at first he went to the Military Police every month, signed and received his salary. After some time, he received his salary by bank card. According to Nelson Saroyan, during the entire mentioned period, he performed the duties of Levon Sargsyan’s driver, the latter was the brother of the third President Serzh Sargsyan. He received payment from Levon Sargsyan as well. The witness did not remember how much Sargsyan paid him. Nelson Saroyan also mentioned that he was awarded a medal for distinguished service in 2016 or 2017, but he did not ask why.
The Presiding Judge inquired whether the witness wrote an application for employment, he was accepted, but he notes that there was no order from the Chief of Police. “How did you know that you were hired at Military Police?”
According to Nelson Saroyan, the personnel department called and said that he was hired and received a uniform. The witness claims that no one told him not to go to work. “After the order on acceptance, I decided not to go. I was hesitating. I thought: If I regret, I shall go back.”
The witness also told the court that he had the rank of non-commissioned officer and also carried a weapon. Saroyan signed contracts to extend the term of service. “I never wore the uniform, I never used the weapon.”
Answering Vardges Sargsyan’s questions, he mentioned that while working for Levon Sargsyan, he received a salary of about 100-200 thousand drams. The judge wondered why the latter was not relieved from his job at Military Police, why was he renewing his contracts if he was not going to work. “This is what I want to understand.”
The witness stated that he does not have an answer to that question. The judge asked if there was anyone who had the answers to those questions. Nelson Saroyan responded: “Scarcely.”
According to the witness, the medal he received also “looked nice”.
“What you said is actually painful, because the medal for distinguished service is awarded by the order of the Minister of Defense. Your answers also indicate your attitude towards the medal. There are people sitting here, including the person interrogating you, who have been waiting for that medal for years as a result of sleepless nights,” the judge announced after the interrogation of the witness.
Vardges Sargsyan decided to ensure the appearance of witness Vahan Sargsyan and notify 4 more witnesses.
The next court session will be held on 17 July.
