Vahagn Chakhalyan refuses to participate in trial
On October 16, 2009 the Javakheti Armenian political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan, who is currently being held in Rustavi strict regime detention facility number 6, gave his attorney Stepan Voskanyan, a statement of refusal to participate in the trial, Yerkir Union told PanARMENIAN.Net.
The statement reads:
"On July 23, 2009 the Court of Appeals of Georgia began the hearings on the verdict against my father - Ruben Chakhalyan, my younger brother- Armen Chakhalyan and me.
As of today, the previous two court sessions show that the proceedings continue to be held with the same violations, as those committed during the trial in the Court of First Instance:
- the judicial proceedings still take place without my French lawyer, Patrick Arapian, who was illegally denied registration by the Georgian authorities;
- the judge rejects almost all defense motions on unacceptable grounds;
- the Armenian translation of the court hearings is totally inadequate and incomprehensible,
Therefore, I do not have the opportunity to adequately follow the course of the trial, as well as to participate in it, that is - enjoy the minimum rights to protection, provided for by all the domestic and international laws.
Under these circumstances, my participation in the court proceedings would mean to legitimize, against my will, a shameful farce that takes place in the courtroom. Therefore, from this time on I refuse to participate in trial voluntarily."
The statement reads:
"On July 23, 2009 the Court of Appeals of Georgia began the hearings on the verdict against my father - Ruben Chakhalyan, my younger brother- Armen Chakhalyan and me.
As of today, the previous two court sessions show that the proceedings continue to be held with the same violations, as those committed during the trial in the Court of First Instance:
- the judicial proceedings still take place without my French lawyer, Patrick Arapian, who was illegally denied registration by the Georgian authorities;
- the judge rejects almost all defense motions on unacceptable grounds;
- the Armenian translation of the court hearings is totally inadequate and incomprehensible,
Therefore, I do not have the opportunity to adequately follow the course of the trial, as well as to participate in it, that is - enjoy the minimum rights to protection, provided for by all the domestic and international laws.
Under these circumstances, my participation in the court proceedings would mean to legitimize, against my will, a shameful farce that takes place in the courtroom. Therefore, from this time on I refuse to participate in trial voluntarily."
