‘If I faint or die here like Armen Grigoryan, who will benefit from that?’: Avetis Chalabyan

For many years, you have presided over the judicial processes examining cases involving individuals with high public visibility. This was stated today, on August 1, in court by public figure Avetis Chalabyan, addressing Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan, as reported by News.am.

Addressing Judge Martirosyan, he said: “These are the people who are somehow in opposition to the current government. The example here is me, but there are also other examples – Aghvan Hovsepyan, and the deceased Armen Grigoryan in this hall. I do not recall any case where you have issued an acquittal in such cases. I assume that in this case, you will not accept a verdict of acquittal; on the contrary, you will try to increase the charges. This is evident to everyone present. You have essentially assumed not only the role of a judge but also the function of a public prosecutor, filling in the gaps left by the prosecutor. I do not remember a single instance where any argument we presented has been accepted by you. This implies that any argument we present henceforth will also not be accepted by you. This means we cannot expect a fair trial.

In my previous statement, I said that the indictment is extremely politically motivated, and I presented a very specific example of this. I expected you to respond, but you left it unanswered. This means you are indifferent to what we say. For you, it is already decided what will happen,” he noted.

Chalabyan pointed out that four court sessions have been scheduled in five days: “What is the reason for this haste? This is despite the fact that I requested—I said, at least give me one week to recover my health. I really need a complex examination of my cardiovascular system, which I have not had time to undertake. My health is genuinely serious, and this hurry could result in outcomes contrary to this judicial process. If I faint here like Armen Grigoryan or die, who will benefit from that?” he remarked.

Avetis Chalabyan emphasized that he has lost faith that Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan will deliver a fair verdict in this case: “You also know that you cannot make such a decision. You know the reason why you cannot. So do not enter into such culpability. Pay heed to the grounds for the recusal motion,” he stressed. It is worth mentioning that Avetis Chalabyan is accused of materially enticing students to participate in opposition protests.