Istanbul court sentences man to life in jail over elderly Armenian’s murderFebruary 25, 2016 - 14:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Istanbul criminal court sentenced a man accused of killing an elderly Armenian woman in 2012 to life imprisonment, Tert.am reports. Murad Nazarian, who initially denied involvement in the murder, stood his ground at the final hearing too, pleading not guilty of the crime, Turkish media report. “I haven’t committed the crime I am charged with,” he said, calling for an immediate release. Maritsa Kucuk, 85, was one of the four Istanbul-Armenian women assaulted and brutally murdered in Istanbul in 2012-2013. She was found dead in her apartment on December 28, 2012. Eren Keskin, a lawyer representing the Kucuks, delivered an address after the hearing, voicing her doubts as to the court’s respect for the due process requirement. “The defendant was intimidated all the time, so he never spoke. [Earlier evidence] proved that he was not the only suspect. Obviously, he didn’t act alone,” she said. Nazarian, who was detained shortly after Kucuk’s murder, was earlier claimed to be suffering from a mental disorder. But further forensic examination did not reveal anything that could relieve him of criminal liability. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |