Another Absurd Charge Raised Against Babayan

Human rights defender Arsen Babayan writes on his Facebook page, "Dear friends and colleagues, the Special Investigation Service has disseminated information that a new charge has been raised against me.

In reality, the investigator has changed the charge against me with his decision. As you may recall, from the very moment this absurd criminal case was initiated, my defense team and I have spoken about the absurdity of the charge brought against me (seizure of power). We have repeatedly stated that the charge has no connection to reality and is exclusively an illegal criminal prosecution for political reasons.

In recent days, the prosecutor's office announced that it has not confirmed the charge against me for the second time and has sent the case back for further investigation. Thus, our months-long assertions have been confirmed, that the charge brought against me is absurd, a mere piece of futurism.

Today I was summoned by the Special Investigation Service, where the charge against me was altered. Following the ping-pong between the investigative body and the prosecutor’s office, the political authority was forced to acknowledge that the seizure of power did not occur under any circumstances. With today’s amendment, which is milder than the seizure of power, another absurd charge was raised, allegedly for the abuse of official powers that has negligently caused severe consequences.

A very interesting trial awaits if, of course, the prosecutor’s office confirms the indictment this time and sends the case to court. The most interesting things are still ahead, while the material of the criminal case has already proven the absence of a crime.

A very interesting disgrace awaits the political authority in court."