VIDEO: Looking into my eyes, do you think I should flee in Geneva? – Levon Kocharian

The judge of the General Jurisdiction Court of the Center and Norq-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan, Karen Farakhoyan, did not allow Levon Kocharian, a member of the Armenia National Assembly from the 'Armenia' faction, to travel to Switzerland to participate in the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly. The assembly is set to take place in Geneva from March 22-25. The Armenian delegation, consisting of 15 members, will be led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian.

Kocharian's attorneys had proposed to temporarily lift the restriction on their client’s confinement so that he could go to Geneva. It should be noted that Levon Kocharian was detained on September 25, 2023, and released on November 6. He is subject to a prohibition on leaving the country.

Attorney Alexander Kochubaev stated that traveling to Geneva is a direct duty of Kocharian as an MP. Meanwhile, attorney Erik Aleksanyan reminded that there have been precedents for temporary changes in the measures of restraint, such as in the cases of opposition MPs Armen Gevorgyan and Hayk Mamijanyan, when the court allowed them to travel during the criminal proceedings.

The prosecutors expressed concerns that Kocharian could evade the judicial process by traveling to Geneva. Levon Kocharian responded to their statement, saying, 'When the morality is removed from a process, we end up in this kind of scene.' He added, 'Sitting here looking into my eyes, do you think I should flee in Geneva? Seriously? It is difficult to talk about all this in normal lexicon.'

The next court session will take place on March 12 at 16:00, where they will discuss attorney Aram Vardevanyan's request to replace the measure of restraint with bail so that Levon Kocharian can travel to Geneva.

Levon Kocharian and his associate Sergey Asaturyan are accused of failing to fulfill the lawful demands of the Red Berets during the peaceful demonstration that took place on September 22 and of assaulting police officers. However, according to forensic examinations, no traces of violence or injuries were found on the bodies of the police officers who are considered victims, Hrachik Khachaturyan and Vardan Hovhannisyan.

The proceedings are ongoing at the General Jurisdiction Court of the Center and Norq-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan. Levon Kocharian was detained on September 25, 2023, and released on November 6. Both Kocharian and Asaturyan are subject to a prohibition on leaving the country. Notably, Asaturyan's restrictions were imposed a few days ago.