22 December 2019, 11:04
Kocharyan's supporter suspected of bribing witness in March 1 case
Varuzhan Mkrtchyan has been detained on suspicion of offering a bribe to a participant in the trial of the case of Robert Kocharyan, the second President of Armenia. As an exception, the Mkrtchyan's case was handed over to the Special Investigating Service (SIS).
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 19, the Armenian Police stated that witnesses and victims in the "March 1" case were offered bribes for refusals from their testimonies and boycotting the court sessions. According to law enforcers, supporters of Robert Kocharyan are behind this; however, Mr Kocharian's office has denied this version.
Robert Kocharyan is accused of taking a bribe of three million US dollars, and of suppressing protests in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008, during which ten people perished.
Varuzhan Mkrtchyan was detained on suspicion of bribing a victim in the "March 1" case, Marina Ogandjanyan, the press secretary of the SIS, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on December 21, adding that although Mkrtchyan is not an official or an employee of law enforcement bodies, the Public Prosecutor General ordered to hand the case over to the SIS; Ms Ogandjanyan has stressed that the Prosecutor is authorized to do this in special cases for the sake of a "complete and objective investigation.”
Varuzhan Mkrtchyan has confirmed that he is Kocharyan's supporter. He insists on his innocence, the "Radio Azatutyun" reported on December 20.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 21, 2019 at 04:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondent
