Yerevan court orders compulsory attendance of Kocharyan, two others at next hearing

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, opposition leader Seyran Ohanyan, a former defense minister, and former CSTO Secretary-General Yuri Khachaturov skipped an Anti-Corruption Court hearing on Friday.

They face renewed charges stemming from the post-election unrest in Yerevan on March 1, 2008 which left 10 people dead.

Kocharyan had previously requested clarifications on his charges.

The court ordered the compulsory attendance of Robert Kocharyan, Seyran Ohanyan, and Yuri Khachaturov at the next hearing on the case, considering their absence unjustified.

“Attending court hearings is mandatory,” presiding judge Sargis Petrosyan announced, asking the police chief to ensure the execution of his order.

The case was reopened following a ruling of the Court of Cassation in September this year, around three years after the defendants were acquitted.