Today, the court hearing under the presiding judge Arthur Stepanyan on the civil case of the RA policemen Arthur Madatyan, Sergey Zaqaryan, Hovhannes Kocharyan claimants against Vilen Gaifejian, broadcaster of “SOS” program took place at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Arabkir and Qanaqer-Zeytun Administrative Districts took place.
The court building was crowded: many people wanted to be present at the hearing, bur few of them managed to enter, as long as the court room was small. Levon Barseghyan, the head of “Asparez” media club of Gyumri clashed with a court coordinator, demanding to allocate a new big court room for the citizens to be present, but a criminal case session was taking place there at that time.
Vilen Gaifejian is accused for calling policemen “dog’s sons” at the 11 broadcast of “SOS” program. Policemen Hovhannes Kocharyan demanded Vilen Gaifejian to apologize publicly from RA Policeand pay compensation to Arthur Madatyan in amount of 1000 of minimal salary. The other claimants agreed with the demand.
The defender of Vilen Gaifejian motioned to postpone the court hearing for her to acquaint herself with the materials of the case and have a chance to present the interests of her defendant. The court satisfied the motion. The next court hearing was set on 4 September.
After the end of the court hearing Vilen Gaifejian talked to the journalists and claimed that he was not going to apologize publicly and pay the demanded compensation (1 million AMD to two policemen) saying that he had not offended anybody, I do not understand what the Police was offended from.
Notably, some members of “No to Plunder!” initiative were present at the meeting. The court applied sanction against Maksim Sargsyan for hindering the process of the hearing.