"The court made a wrongful verdict. We call for an acquittal. I shall be consistent and appeal the verdict at a higher court. We shall administer justice in this country," Armenian jailed MP Miasnik Malkhasian said after hearing his verdict.
Today the Common Jurisdiction Court of Kentron and Nork-Marash Communities announced verdicts on MPs Miasnik Malkhasian and Hakob Hakobian charged with March 1-2 post-election clashes in Yerevan City.
The Court found the MPs innocent under Articles 316 (violence against a government representative) of the Armenian Penal Code and guilty under Article 225 (organization of mass disorders) and sentenced them to a five-year imprisonment.
Remind that the prosecutor had demanded six years for the defendants.
Anyway, thanks to a July 19 decision of the National Assembly the deputies were granted pardon and released from the courtroom.
The judge in the case of Miasnik Malkhasian, Armen Khachatrian, lifted the arrest from Malkhasian's property, car and bank accounts.
The Court also decided that the substantial evidence-metal pole-found during the search should be annihilated. The other things kept in the police department as material evidence should be sent to the Special Investigation Service. The verdicts can be disputed at the Appellate Court within a month.
The verdicts were welcomed with a burst of applause and shouts.
The deputies embraced and kissed the presentees. Many burst into tears. Hakob Hakobian and Sasun Mikaelian left the courtroom arm in arm with their fists up. A large crowd was waiting for them outside.
The deputies are going to the Yereablur in the evening.