Court Decision to Imprison Arush Arushanyan Challenged: Details

The decision of the Syunik Regional Court to replace the sentence of Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan with imprisonment for 1 year, 8 months, and 3 days has been appealed. This was reported by David Karapetyan, a member of Arush Arushanyan's legal team, in an interview with 'Factinfo.'

It should be noted that on March 28, 2022, the Syunik Regional Court, presided over by Judge Gnel Gasparyan, announced the verdict in the case of Arush Arushanyan and others, whereby Arushanyan was acquitted concerning one of the alleged electoral offenses attributed to him, while on another count, he was found guilty and sentenced to 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment. Taking into account the eight months Arushanyan spent under pre-trial detention, the court ultimately imposed a sentence of 6 months in prison, which was not applied conditionally. The court set up a probation period of 1.5 years for Arushanyan, while also imposing a fine and a 5-year ban on holding municipal leadership positions.

Additionally, the leaders of the Karahunj village, Lusine Avetyan, and two other defendants, Samvel Dinunyun and Hrayer Baghdasaryan, were acquitted, while Erik Aghajanyan and Harut Lalazaryan were found guilty. Appeals against the judicial decision have been submitted. The Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals upheld the court decision, and the Court of Cassation rejected the appeal. Consequently, the court decision has entered into legal force.

The Probation Service approached the Goris City Council regarding the termination of Arushanyan's powers, but the council rejected the proposal, stating that it does not fall within their jurisdiction. As a result, the Syunik Regional Probation Service prepared a record regarding Arushanyan's evasion of punishment and filed a motion with the Syunik Regional Court, requesting that the punishment imposed on Arush Arushanyan be replaced with imprisonment for 5 years of deprivation of the right to hold public office, as well as to annul the decision of not applying the sentence conditionally. This request was granted.

Specifically, on September 10, the Syunik Regional Court, presided over by Judge Varsenik Melkonyan, partially granted the Probation Service's request, replacing the sentence of deprivation of the right to hold a municipal leadership position for 5 years with a prison term of 1 year, 8 months, and 3 days.

Arush Arushanyan’s lawyers have filed an appeal against this decision. Liana Rafaelian, the press secretary of the criminal courts, stated in an interview with the media that the case is under the jurisdiction of the appellate criminal court, with a hearing scheduled for October 10. The appeal will be reviewed through written proceedings.