On 3 June, the court hearing in the case of the former chairman of the Urban Development Committee, Vahagn Vermishyan, continued in the Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals. Presiding Judge Karen Amiryan, Judges Armen Hovhannisyan and Mesrop Makyan.
According to Iravaban.net, the defenders submitted a motion to change the order of restraint against Vahagn Vermishyan.
Notably, on 4 March, the court decided that the measure of restraint applied against the defendant was replaced by house arrest for a period of 3 months. A bail in the amount of AMD 25 million, as well as a ban on to leave the country, was applied as well.
Judge Karen Amiryan said that three options were being discussed: to keep the current measure of restraint with bail, to change it to a milder restriction, and to make it more severe.
The Prosecutor in the case mentioned that the measure of restraint applied against Vermishyan is already a reality and should be taken into account.
“In the terms of the measure of restraint chosen against Mr. Vermishyan, there were no such circumstances that would point the illegal behavior of the accused and which would provide grounds for me to come up with a motion to tighten the measure of restraint. This means that the measure of restraint chosen by the court ensures the pattern of behavior of the accused and consequently to extend the current measure of restraint for three months, hoping that this is the period that we can submit the complaints, the replies to the complaints. Three months is the time that will be enough for us for this process,” the Prosecutor said.
One of Vahagn Vermishyan’s defenders said that during the past three months there was no factual data that Vahagn Vermishyan had violated the conditions of the selected measure of restraint. “I find that under the existing conditions, the measure of restraint against Vahagn Vermishyan can be removed. We believe that the applied bail and the ban on absence are completely capable of neutralizing the fears that Vahagn Vermishyan may show inappropriate behavior during the trial.”
Defense attorney Alexander Kochubaev said that Vahagn Vermishyan showed only proper behavior. “I find that it is not necessary to extend the term of the house arrest measure.”
Vahagn Vermishyan also made a statement in court. “I have done everything to prove my innocence and I shall prove it, I am sure of it. I am not going to escape anywhere; I have come to my homeland to put things in order in my sector in my homeland. I do not have a place to run away, there are a lot of people running away, and now they will run away one after another. I will not escape, I was born here, I will die here.”
The Prosecutor in the case stated that, in his opinion, his petition should be granted and the measure of restraint of house arrest should be extended.
Vahagn Vermishyan said that, of course, house arrest is much milder than being in “Nubarashe” penitentiary.
“However, in November 2017, when I came to Armenia, I planted a garden in the fall. I dream of that garden every day. No one does pruning without me,” he said. The Presiding Judge responded to this saying that the pruning season has already passed.
Vermishyan noted that it lasts till mid June in Lori.
“If we abolish house arrest, Mr. Vermishyan, we will definitely not abolish it for the trees, but we will abolish it for you,” Judge Armen Hovhannisyan said.
The Court granted the petition and Vahagn Vermishyan’s house arrest was extended for another three months.
Details in the video.
Hasmik Sargsyan
