The decision of SIS of not filing a criminal case against Khachik Asryan, Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, is appealed at the Kentron and Nork-Marash General Jurisdiction Court. The Assembly demanded eliminating SIS investigator Babayan’s decision dated 31.10.2013 regarding refusal of filing a criminal case. To remind that the Assembly demanded to file a criminal case against the statement of the Deputy Minister. After the question raised by “Heritage” party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan to the President of Armenia at the PACE, Khachik Asryan called the MP a “vole discharged from Turkish garden”, and had said that “Zaruhi Postanjyan should be burned on the fire alive, not as Jeanne d’Ark, but as Ramil Safarov.”
“There is evidently an intimidation in Khachik Asryan’s public statement… The investigator was content only with investigating the materials of the media, in other words, he performed more analysis and evaluation of media materials, which is not enough to consider the trial objective, thorough and complete. He did not even invite Khachik Asryan to give explanation, nor Zaruhi Postanjyan as a subject of intimidation”, – Said Artur Sakunts, head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office, to Aravot.am. He also reminded that intimidation of Khachik Asryan, police chief Vladimir Gasparyan provided police officers to ensure the security of the MP. “If police chief did not consider the risk reasonable, why he should have provided police officers.” Today’s court hearing was postponed because investigator Babayan was not present at the session stating in writing that he has to attend another urgent court hearing. Today, Mr. Sakunts presented the court their complaint, and the next court hearing is scheduled on March 4. We also talked with Khachik Asryan. He said that he was unaware that the Assembly had applied to court with the same lawsuit. “This topic is very long ago closed for me because I have referred to the issue for 2-3 times, I have just answered all questions,” said he and disconnected the phone.
Arpine Simonyan
