This Was a Formalization of Justice: Defense Attorney on the Trial of Archbishop Mikayel

The defense attorneys for the Shirak Diocese leader, Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, are considering petitioning for the disciplinary and criminal liability of Judge Armine Meliksetyan regarding the ongoing trial and verdict delivered. This was stated by defense attorney Yerem Sargsyan during a conversation with reporters following the announcement of the guilty verdict.

According to him, the final decision will be made after the verdict is published. “If the judge was so constrained and fearful from the very first moment, it only spoke of one thing: that from that point—starting from the first hearing—she knew what she was going to do. If she had decided to be fair, there was nothing to constrain her. This was a formalization of justice,” Sargsyan remarked.

He drew a comparison between the trial of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan and the proceedings against the former military-political leadership of Artsakh taking place in Baku. He stated that a formalization of justice is also happening in Baku, where there are judges, defenders, and defendants, witnesses come to provide testimonies, which means that everything is ensured in a formal sense.

“But is there anyone who believes that a legal trial is being conducted there? It's just a matter of formalities. Unfortunately, the same process took place right now in Armenia,” Sargsyan said.