On 22 January, the Anti-Corruption Civil Court held a hearing on the confiscation of assets and funds of allegedly illicit origin of the former Mayor of Yerevan, currently a member of the National Assembly Taron Margaryan and his family members.

According to Iravaban.net, at the beginning of the session, the judge announced that the lawyer involved in the case, Piruza Vardanyan, also submitted a motion to postpone the session. She informed the court that due to the spread of acute respiratory diseases, she and her children have a fever, and asked to postpone the session.

Another lawyer involved in the case filed a motion to postpone the hearing. He mentioned that he applied to the judge’s office to receive the USB, but he has not received it yet. In addition, he mentioned that he underwent eye surgery 2 days ago and overloading is contraindicated.

Ruzanna Khudaverdyan, the Prosecutor of the Department for Confiscation of Property of Illicit Origin of the Prosecutor General’s Office, did not express a position on the first motion, leaving it to the discretion of the court. Referring to the 2nd petition, the Prosecutor noted that she had noticed a tendency to delay the sessions artificially. “If the lawyer had shown due diligence, he could have gotten to know the materials through his colleagues.”

The presiding judge Karapet Badalyan rejected the petition to postpone the session due to the absence of USB, because the latter is not the only representative involved in the case of the same defendant. “As for receiving case materials, they are ready.”

Referring to Piruza Vardanyan’s petition, the judge noted that this is not the first time that the lawyer presents such a petition.

“In October, she again asked to postpone the court session regarding the child care issue, the petition was granted. There is an impression that the petition is aimed at delaying the examination of the case and postponing the court session. The continuation of the investigation of the case cannot be suspended on the condition of the person’s ability or inability to provide child care. This also puts the court in an awkward condition. It is very important to fulfill one’s work duties, this is the last time the court grants a petition on such a basis,” Karapet Badalyan said.

The next court session will be held on 13 February.