David Simonian has been subjected to violence to testify against Haik Sargsyan, attorney claims

The defense attorney for Haik Sargsyan, the nephew of Armenia's third president Serzh Sargsyan, claimed today, December 5, at the ongoing court session in Yerevan's Shengavit District Court that David Simonian, who has been recognized as a victim, has been subjected to violence to provide testimony.

“During the pre-trial investigation, during the investigative confrontation between the victim David Simonian and the suspect Haik Sargsyan, it arose that David Simonian has been tortured and subjected to violence by some individuals to make a statement. He had scratches on his body; we applied for an expert examination to be initiated, but nothing was done. David Simonian had scratches on his face, but he insisted they were marks from mosquito bites. A forensic medical examination was assigned for David Simonian to clarify the existence of bodily injuries on his face and hands,” the attorney said.

The prosecuting attorney in the case countered, noting that David Simonian was interrogated in court and showed no signs of constraint. “He insisted on his pre-trial testimony. I believe this is merely a reason to challenge the credibility of the victim's testimony. Besides the attorney's assumption, there has been nothing else present,” he said.

It should be noted that Haik Sargsyan is accused of an attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition for a crime that occurred 11 years ago. He faces charges under Articles 34-104, part 1 (attempted murder) and 235, part 1 (illegal acquisition and possession of weapons and ammunition) of the RA Criminal Code.

According to the indictment, on April 1, 2007, at around 16:00, in the basement room of his residence located at 11 Tumanyan Street in Yerevan, Haik Sargsyan, with a firearm classified as a 'SIGSAUER' pistol, illegally acquired and possessed, aimed to unlawfully deprive David Simonian of his life, firing at his abdomen, but the crime was not completed due to circumstances beyond his control.

It is recalled that on September 10, 2018, Judge Anna Danibekyan of Yerevan's General Jurisdiction Court granted a motion by Haik Sargsyan's defense to recognize bail as permissible. Following the payment of 50 million drams bail, Sargsyan was released from the 'Nubarashen' penitentiary.