On 29 October, the Court of Appeals held an appeal hearing on the death of Mher Poghosyan,the fater resident of Echmiadzin, Mher Poghosyan, the court decision was made  25 years before.

At the beginning of the session, the defense side of Manvel Grigoryan’s nephew, Hrant Grigoryan, objected to the media to take Hrant Grigoryan’s photos.

Prosecutor Zaruhi Mejlumyan said at the court hearing that the case had not been investigated 25 years ago as a murder case.

“What are we dealing with now that what happened 25 years ago was not considered a premeditated murder but a reckless treatment of a weapon that resulted in death and Hrant Grigoryan was sentenced to only one year in prison based on mitigating circumstances?”

The lawyer noted that there had been a breach of jurisdiction in the case.

The victim’s successor, Eduard Poghosyan, made a statement in court, noting that the man who committed the murder should be punished. “25 years ago, knowing who Hrant Grigoryan was, he was not punished, but I hope that in the new Armenia this will not happen.”

Hrant Grigoryan’s lawyer asked the court for an hour and a half to submit objections, but due to lack of time the court decided to postpone the hearing.

The next court hearing is set for 20November.

Notably, Hrant Grigoryan was previously convicted in this case under Article 99 of the Soviet Armenian Criminal Code for intentional murder in aggravated circumstances, but 9 days later there was a remand, Article 259.1, which is a violation of the rules of conduct of a weapon. He was sentenced to one year, but displayed good conduct and was released on parole three months later.

Note: A person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgment that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code.

Diana Harutyunyan