The preliminary court session on the lawsuit of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office human rights organization against Vladimir Gasparyan, the Chief of Police of the Republic of Armenia, at the law court of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts presided by
Artavazd Sukoyan ended today. The trial was set for May 11, at 3 p.m. Ara Zohrabyan Vladimir Gasparyan’s representative at the preliminary court session and the deputy chairman of the Bar Association of the Republic of Armenia, tried to find out the phrases, which Vladimir Gasparyan had used last October 15, during Zinuzh (armed forces) TV show, as well as during the interview given to Hraparak newspaper last October 17 (“Anxious parents do not lie”). Ara Zohrabyan demanded that the petitioner (the representatives were human rights advocate Artur Sakunts and Vahe Grigoryan, a member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Armenia) explained whether Vladimir Gasparyan’s words were an offense or a libel. Vahe Grigoryan said that the phrases were manifested in stating facts, which were perceived as a libel from Vova Gasparyan.
Vahe Grigoryan presented to the court those phrases, “They have brought 20-year-old greenhorns with pigtails in the Helsinki organizations and those greenhorns’ words contain personal offense. When a greenhorn offends a man who defended the country, suffered for the country, I will not tolerate that. They curse the Defense Minister, calling him one-legged.” Vova Gasparyan said another phrase, “What other order have your sponsors given to you to find out about our army? Perhaps you want to publish the whole list and then go and stand in a line outside multifold foreign foundations.”
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Vladimir Gasparyan who formerly held the office of the deputy defense minister also said – if there is a war, they will be lost. In that regard, Ara Zohrabyan applies to the court – “declare a war,” so it can be proved. According to Ara Zohrabyan, Vladimir Gasparyan’s judgments are not grounds for a person to take on the task of proving. Moreover, he mentioned that the petitioner should prove that the defendant meant them, in particular.
Ruzan MINASYAN
