Nairi Hokhikyan Charged by Investigative Committee

The President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Armenia has submitted a report to the head of the Investigative Committee regarding an apparent crime, accompanied by materials indicating that Judge Ed. Hovhannisyan of the first instance general jurisdiction court of Armavir Region issued a ruling in civil case No. ARD1/4853/02/21 on March 29, 2023. Following the publication of the ruling on the official website of the judicial authority, N. H. made a post on his Facebook page, specifically using offensive expressions against Judge Ed. Hovhannisyan related to his professional activities.

This information was reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia. In response to the aforementioned report, a criminal proceeding has been initiated under part 2 of Article 489 of the Criminal Code of Armenia at the Armavir regional investigative department of the Investigative Committee.

During the preliminary investigation, a review of the Armenian-language Facebook page "Nairi Hokhikyan" was conducted, revealing a post made by user Nairi Hokhikyan at 16:50 on March 29, 2023, in which disrespectful attitudes were demonstrated towards Judge Ed. Hovhannisyan, using offensive language regarding the fulfillment of the judge's official duties. The post also included photographs.

Judge Ed. Hovhannisyan has been recognized as a victim in the case. Based on the gathered factual data, the prosecuting authority presented a petition to the supervising prosecutor regarding the initiation of public criminal prosecution against N. H. under part 2 of Article 489 of the Criminal Code. The petition was granted, and charges were presented against N. H.

A measure of restraint has been chosen for him, prohibiting absence. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.

Notice: A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court decision that has entered into legal force, in accordance with the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.