The section reading "Facts confirmed by the court" in the verdict of the first instance court of Kentron and Nork-Marash districts sentencing editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily Nikol Pashinyan start with the following text: "Serzh Sargsyan won in the RA presidential elections held on February 19, 2008."
During today's examination of his protest at the Appeals Court, the judge didn't like NIkol Pashinyan's the reference to this statement. In general, the Appeals Court headed by judge Serzhik Avetisyan prohibited Pashinyan from using the words "Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Sashik Sargsyan, Samvel Alexanyan, assassins, oligarchs and shaved-heads".
Not paying attention to that, Nikol Pashinyan continued: "I am charged with the murders that took place on March 1. Everyone knows that Robert Kocharyan gave the command to open fire on March 1. The government needed as much verdicts for March 1 as possible. Serzh Sargsyan didn't collect as much votes during the February 19 elections as the verdicts on March 1 were reached.
Today, for nearly 4 hours, Nikol Pashinyan literally interpreted the sentencing verdict and substantiated that he had nothing to do with the mass disturbances that took place near Myasnikyan statue on March 1, 2008. Pashinyan underlined that his verdict stated the actions by Alexander Arzumanyan, Sasun Mikayelyan, Myasnik Malkhasyan and representatives of the opposition who were sentenced by the "Case of Seven", but Pashinyan's speeches were found in the case. "According to the verdict against me, I am the commander of Commanders Sasun Mikayelyan, Myasnik Malkhasyan and Hakob Hakobyan. That is a great honor for me, but such a formulation is ridiculous."
Pashinyan also recalled that not only the Pan-National Movement, but presidential candidate from "Orinats Yerkir" party Artur Baghdasaryan and ARF candidate Vahan Hovhannisyan were also displeased with the results of the February 19 presidential elections and had openly announced that. "Why are they in liberty?" asked Pashinyan, adding that the leaders of the pan-national movement, as well as him, did not motivate anybody to violence and did not instill hatred. "The government instilled hatred in the people through their actions."
Judge Serzhik Avetisyan removed journalist Liza Tchagharyan and Sargis Kloyan-father of victim of March 1 Gor Kloyan-from the courtroom for applauding Pashinyan. Before getting out of the courtroom, the father of the victim managed to say: "You are committing a bigger crime by concealing the assassins. You are sentencing an innocent person. You will all be brought to justice."
Two of the three judges of the Appeals Court, including Serzhik Avetisyan and Arshak Khachatryan, were talking together throughout Nikol Pashinyan's speech. When Pashinyan interrupted their discussion to draw their attention, Arshak Khachatryan said: "You are ignoring us and not looking at us. You say, ‘dear judge', but turn toward the courtroom. That is why we are talking to each other." "You can even play cards if you like," said Pashinyan.
Pashinyan will continue his remarks in the next trial. Although Pashinyan informed that tomorrow the Constitutional Court will hear Pashinyan's claim for recognizing the results of the January 10 elections at precinct #10 as invalid and that his presence was mandatory, the Appeals Court set the next trial for tomorrow and at the same time-11 a.m.
