YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Thursday’s hearing of the "Sept. 25" trial dealt with the replacement of attorneys for three of the five defendants–which are also on the defense team of the so-called "Trial of 31."
Presiding Justice Hovaness Ghoukassian said that participation of defense attorneys Marina Galabian–Anahit Yessayan and Gayaneh Antonian in the "Sept. 25" case would have been impossible since they would have to be present at both cases–which are held simultaneously in the Supreme Court building.
Defendants Seyran Massoyan and Mkrtich Meghavorian agreed to the replacemen’s–which will be attorneys Galoyan and Shakarian–respectively.
Argishti Kivirian refused to seek new counsel and asked that his sister Armenika Kivirian serve as a public defender. The court agreed to his request–but appointed Shakarian as his defense attorney–despite Kivirian’s protests.
The session was postponed until Feb. 26 to give the attorneys ample time to prepare their cases.
