Court in 'Silva's Bribery' Case Moves to Examine Evidence

The General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan, presided over by Judge Anna Danibekyan, has moved to the examination of evidence without discussing the motions presented by the defense.

It was noted that at the previous court session, Danibekyan informed that the court had received the motion from Armenian parliamentary group member Armen Gevorgyan regarding his temporary absence from the country. Gevorgyan's lawyer, Lusine Sahakyan, stated that the court has continuously postponed the discussion of this motion and requested to address it now.

Former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan's lawyer, Aram Orbelian, reminded about the motion to cease the criminal prosecution against Kocharyan. The presiding judge promised to discuss these motions during today’s session but insisted on moving forward with the examination of evidence.

Prosecutor Petros Petrosyan proposed a sequence for evidence examination: first, to review the documents present in the criminal case, then move on to the material evidence recognized, after which witness interrogations would take place, concluding with the examination of the defendants.

The prosecutor suggested starting with questioning Silva Hambardzoumian, Vardan Oskanyan, Levon Sultanyan, Anahit Israelian, Karmen Sahakyan, and Andranik Gevorgyan. The prosecution also intends to file a motion to take measures to interrogate Samvel Mayrapetyan, who is on the wanted list.

Aram Orbelian requested clarification on what procedural process the court is using to reject evidence. “There are over 100 volumes of materials in the criminal case, most of which are evidence, there is a significant list of pieces to summon, yet the prosecutor is, in essence, refusing these evidences,” said the defense attorney.

According to him, the list should also include the study of procedural documents. Orbelian also suggested to question Silva Hambardzoumian at the end, while simultaneously reviewing her written testimonies on the same day.