The attorneys of Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan finished filing three appeals against the arrest extension ruling to the Yerevan Criminal Court of Appeals on Friday, Aram Orbelyan, one of Kocharyan’s attorneys, told reporters outside the courtroom on Thursday.
The appellate court, presided over by judge Ruzanna Barseghyan, started hearing the defense lawyers’ appeal on Thursday.
Orbelyan said today’s hearing was postponed and set for April 9. He noted Kocharyan was present at the hearing but didn’t speak. He is expected to address the court at the next hearing, the attorney said.
The prosecutors submitted their objections at Thursday’s hearing.
Earlier on 15 March, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction ruled to extend the former president’s pre-trial arrest for another two months sought by the Special Investigative Service, denying the defense motion to allow his release on bail.
Also, the court dismissed the bribery charges against Kocharyan on grounds of insufficient evidence.
The ex-president has been placed in custody since December 7, 2018, pending trial. He is charged with overthrowing Armenia’s constitutional order during the March 1-2, 2008 post-election events in Yerevan, but strongly denies any wrongdoing.
