Kocharian Can Influence Investigation of March 1 Killings, Prosecutor Says

The prosecutor in the March 1 case, Yerevan City Prosecutor Gevorg Baghdasaryan, has requested the court to keep Robert Kocharian in custody.

According to Baghdasaryan, while at liberty, Kocharian could evade the investigation and obstruct the proceedings of the criminal case.

There is a part of the March 1 case that deals with the circumstances surrounding the killings that occurred on March 1, 2008. This was highlighted by Yerevan City Prosecutor Gevorg Baghdasaryan during the latest court session regarding Robert Kocharian and other former officials.

"Evaluations will be made regarding the actions of officials who have been directly or indirectly dependent on their official duties related to Robert Kocharian," the prosecutor said, responding to the defense’s argument presented in court that the preliminary investigation of the case has been completed and that Kocharian cannot influence the course of the investigation or witnesses while free.

Baghdasaryan reminded the court that there are still 850 witnesses yet to be summoned in the case being heard in court.

"There are factual data in the criminal case that raise concerns about the existence of grounds for Robert Kocharian to evade investigation while at liberty and obstruct the proceedings of the criminal case in court and the proceedings of the main case, which is separate from this criminal case," the prosecutor stated.

Baghdasaryan also expressed confidence that Kocharian, while at liberty, would pose a serious threat to the investigation of the mentioned criminal case and the revelation of the objective truth.

Based on this reasoning, the prosecutor requested the court to reject the request from Kocharian’s lawyers to change the measure of restraint.

It should be noted that at the start of the court session, Judge Anna Danibekyan announced the decision regarding the request from Kocharian's lawyers to change his measure of restraint, stating that he would remain in custody.