On December 18 court of general jurisdiction of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun
communities of Yerevan started the hearings on the suit of Criminal Executive
Department of RA Ministry of Justice versus free lance journalist Gagik Shamshian.
As it has been reported, on April 17, 2009 court of general jurisdiction of
Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan sentenced Gagik Shamshian to
a fine of 350,000 AMD (about $ 950) for disrespect to court. On July 15, 2009
RA Criminal Court of Appeal pardoned the journalist. Gagik Shamshian considered
the decision to be illegal and addressed to the RA Procuracy and to RA Court
of Cassation. The Procuracy confirmed that the journalist should not have been
pardoned on the abovementioned case, as an amnesty had already been applied
on him by another case. On September 16, 2009 the Court of Cassation cancelled
the decision on amnesty (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 11-17,
2009).
With regard to the delay in payment of fine the Criminal Executive Department
of Ministry of Justice filed a suit demanding to replace the fine penalty applied
towards Gagik Shamshian by public works.
At the session of December 18 court of primary jurisdiction revoked the suit,
on the ground that Gagik Shamshian had already paid off the fine before the
hearings started.
