Defense party of “Harsnaqar” case motioned to hold closed hearing

Yerevan Avan and Nor Norq court of first instance, presided by Judge Davit Harutyunyan, in the case of violence on June 17, 2012, in “Harsnaqar” restaurant complex rejected the motion of the party to hear the testimonies in the closed hearing. The Judge found that there is no exceptional ground for closed hearing.

The defense complained that the testimonies of the waiter of the restaurant complex, defendant Davit Adamyan during the previous hearing, were manipulated in the media, and so the party expressed a concern that the publication of the testimonies can affect the fair trial, in particular, the questioning of the additional witnesses if the court satisfies the motion of the defense to present them.

According to the assessment of prosecution Artur Davtyan, the defense party didn’t present the justification on the groups of which the court hearing could have been done in close trial. The prosecution also noted that the legal assessment of the journalists cannot affect the fair trial.

The victim Vahe Avetyan’s legal representative Vahe Grigoryan also noted that that the defense party didn’t mention any fact of the violation of right. He highlighted that there is a general treat of the violation of presumption of innocence, which is an issue resolved on civil law grounds.

The defense also expressed complaint about the videotaping of the testimonies. According to the party, media mostly presented mounted and accusatory materials.

Today the defendants stated that they are not prepared to testify during this hearing, and the defendant Gagik Margaryan announced that he will be prepared to testify during the next trial. The Judge postponed the hearing until March 29, taking into account the following announcement of G. Margaryan as well as the motion of his attorney Marine Tovmasyan, Factinfo reports.