VIDEO. 'Do Not Raise Your Voice,' 'The Court Can Remove You from the Hearing Room.' Dispute in Court

The court session in the Central District of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction continues regarding the case of former Justice Minister and Constitutional Court Judge Hrayr Tovmasyan. Tovmasyan has been presenting his defense speech for the third consecutive day.

During the court session, a dispute occurred between Judge Tatevik Grigoryan and Hrayr Tovmasyan when Tovmasyan attempted to clarify that what he and his lawyer Aram Orbelian said was different.

“When I referred yesterday to the entrance and exit of the Yerevan City Hall, you stated that it was Mr. Orbelian who said that. I took the trouble to see what Mr. Orbelian said. He stated that the Yerevan City Hall is a specially protected area and that there are clear rules for entrance and exit,” he said.

However, the judge did not allow him to finish and said, “Mr. Tovmasyan, please continue with your defense speech.”

In response, Tovmasyan said, “Dear court, there is no need to raise your voice.”

The judge reiterated, “Present your speech, do not make statements.”

“I am not making a statement; I am delivering my speech. Yesterday during my speech when I referred to Yerevan City Hall…” Tovmasyan tried to respond, but the judge interrupted him again: “Mr. Tovmasyan, please continue your speech.”

“I am delivering my speech, dear court,” Tovmasyan retorted.

The court admonished him, “Lower your tone.”

“You lower your tone, dear court; you also have the same obligation to speak respectfully to me,” Tovmasyan replied.

“The court is applying a procedural sanction against you in the form of a warning, and at the same time, it warns that if you continue to speak in parallel with the court, raising your tone during the court's proceedings, more severe sanctions will be applied against you, including removal from the courtroom. The court is currently not allowing you to make a statement; please present your speech.”

Tovmasyan continues to present his defense speech.