YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"The ‘Trial of 31’ verdicts were unfair and subjective," said defense attorney Dickran Janoyan–following Friday’s announcemen’s of the verdicts by the Supreme Court of Armenia.
In a press conference Monday–Janoyan said that defense attorneys are currently preparing to appeal the verdicts–while familiarizing themselves with the text of the verdicts as well as reviewing the details of the two-and-a-half year trial.
The inconstancies and mistakes in the course of the trial–according to Janoyan–were results of the baselessness of the charges–and the mid-trial cosmetic alterations of the charges–in order to appease the people of Armenia.
Janoyan also noted that the verdicts caused a serious blow to the rural town of Khachik–where two residents–Nairi Manoukian and Haroutiun Sargsian are hailed as heroes for their efforts in protecting their town.
Attorney Bagrat Yesayan also found the illegal weapons charges against these two defendants curious–since those arms had been used in a struggle to protect Khachik against Azeri forces.
Yesayan–who defended ARF leader Vahan Hovanessian–asserted that his client was convicted for public service to his country.
He also noted that the current trend of silencing such public and political activism may backfire against the Armenian authorities.