On October 20 court of general jurisdiction of Shengavit community of Yerevan started litigation on the case of Nikol Pashinian, Chief Editor of “Haykakan Zhamanak” daily. Nikol Pashinian is charged with Part 1 of Article 225 (“Mass riots”) and Part 1 of Article 316 (“Violence against a representative of power“) of RA Criminal Code. As it has been reported, Nikol Pashinian was announced wanted within the criminal proceedings, instituted on the events of March 1, 2008 in Yerevan. On July 1, 2009 he voluntarily surrendered to RA Prosecutor’s Office. “Haykakan Zhamanak” Chief Editor received a preventive punishment of arrest (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 3-10, 2009).
At the court sessions of October 20, 21, 22 lawyers of Nikol Pashinian made several petitions, including challenging the judge and one of the public prosecutors. All the petitions were turn down. The next session will take place on October 26.
