Which Judge Will Review Vanetsyan's Lawsuit Against CP Deputy Gurgen Melikyan?

The lawsuit filed by Arthur Vanetsyan, the head of the "Honorary Duty" faction in the National Assembly, against Gurgen Melikyan, a deputy from the "Civil Contract" faction and former Deputy Minister of Defense, will be reviewed by Judge Murad Hovakimyan at the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Court.

According to "Factinfo," the lawsuit was submitted to the court on August 19 and was assigned to Judge Hovakimyan on the same day by the court president. Vanetsyan demands that Melikyan be obliged to publicly refute statements deemed defamatory and to compensate for damages caused to his honor and dignity. The Public TV Company of Armenia has been mentioned as a third party in the case.

It is important to note that Melikyan stated on Public TV that, allegedly, the military unit led by A. Vanetsyan had deserted: "Going and coming back was the same. They went there, gathered weapons, knowing that there were a lot of weapons left unattended there, and brought them back to Armenia. Their goal was to go get weapons." Following Melikyan’s statement, Vanetsyan’s legal team issued a statement announcing their decision to file a lawsuit.

"Being elected as an MP on the list of the Civil Contract party does not exempt a person in military rank from thinking before speaking and being accountable for their expressed thoughts," the lawyers stated. Additionally, it should be noted that reports of desertion by the "Homeland" military unit have been denied even by official authorities, including the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff.

As per a response to a request from "Factinfo," the General Staff stated, "On October 30 and 31, 2020, coordination training was conducted with the personnel of the unit (108 people) at the Nubarashen shooting range. After the training, on November 1, 2020, according to the relevant order from the Chief of the General Staff, the unit departed for the Republic of Artsakh and came under the command of the defense army. From November 1 to 10, 2020, the unit participated in combat operations for the defense of Shushi under the orders of the defense army commander," emphasizing that "the General Staff has no information regarding the unit avoiding service."