Armenia top court rules prosecution of Kocharyan unconstitutionalMarch 26, 2021 - 18:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Constitutional Court of Armenia, based on applications submitted by the country's second president Robert Kocharyan and the Court of First Instance of Yerevan, ruled on Friday, March 26 that Article 300.1 of the Criminal Code contradicts the constitution and declared it invalid, Aysor.am reports. Kocharyan, who was the President of Armenia in 1998–2008, was charged under Article 300.1 for overthrowing the constitutional order. The case is related to the crackdown on peaceful protesters marching against the results of the presidential election in March 2008. At the time, ten people were killed in clashes between protesters and the police, about 200 were injured. According to Article 170.2 of the Constitution, the decision is final and enters into force upon publication. Kocharyan's lawyer Aram Vardevanyan said criminal prosecution against the former president will be terminated. Vardevanyan further elaborated that the top court's decision means there is no Article 300.1 in the Criminal Code any more. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |