Robert Kocharyan

Human Rights Defender Visits Kocharyan in Jail

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YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On December 14, Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia Arman Tatoyan has had a private meeting with Robert Kocharyan, the former President of Armenia currently under arrest pending trial.

Tatoyan told reporters that he had visited the second president of Armenia the day after his arrest.

“We discussed all issues concerning the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Defender. We have prepared respective inquiries relating the issues that have been raised during the private conversation,” he said.

“We are also in contact with the attorneys. I would like to emphasize one important thing, for me, as the Human Rights Defender, the crime that the person is accused of doesn’t matter, I am obliged to fulfill my functions. I am not working for be popular with someone, I am doing my job”, he said.

He did, however, note that Kocharyan has not complained of the attitude of the officers in jail.

Kocharyan had spent two weeks in jail in summer, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending the trial.

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At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities by walking to the Yerevan jail.

Kocharyan is charged with “overthrowing constitutional order” during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead during his final days as president. He denies any wrongdoing.

 

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