  Armenia top court rules prosecution of Kocharyan unconstitutional March 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 |  Latest news Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24  U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says.CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.”Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |
