Robert Kocharyan's Case is Connected to Surrendering Artsakh: Haik Alumyan

The criminal case against Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan and other former officials related to the March 1 events is linked to the surrender of Artsakh. Haik Alumyan, Kocharyan's lawyer, stated this during a press conference held today, according to Sputnik Armenia.

He noted that Kocharyan is one of the few capable of preventing concessions from Armenia. “The March 1 case should be viewed in the context of the events of November 9, 2020,” he said, “this is all being done to conceal from society what is actually happening for a long time. But I see that society is gradually beginning to understand what is hidden beneath this and for what purpose it is being done. Who would organize resistance if, say, someone (hypothetically suppose the Armenian authorities) decided to surrender Artsakh? We see that criminal prosecutions have begun against such people for various pretexts.”

Lawyer Alumyan recalled that during the last court session held on February 2, the political context of the criminal case was attempted to be discussed by the accused in the case, former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, and Kocharyan's lawyer Hovhannes Khudoyan. However, Judge Anna Danibekyan prohibited them from making political statements in court.

Political scientist emphasizes that Robert Kocharyan's only trump card is Nikol Pashinyan. Alumyan stressed that the March 1 criminal case has an inherently political context, as it is connected with the political processes following the presidential elections of 2008, and the indictment is filled with political assessments.

It is noteworthy that the second president of Armenia is participating in the judicial proceedings concerning the events of March 1, 2008. The criminal prosecution against him began after the change of power in Armenia in 2018. At that time, Robert Kocharyan announced his return to politics. The second president of Armenia has been detained three times, and he has spent a total of 500 days in custody.