YEREVAN.- The court held on Thursday a hearing on the balloon explosion in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan. Judge Gagik Poghosyan presided over the case.

During the hearing held in Kentron Nork-Marash court, prosecutor Hakob Martirosyan motioned for a year sentence for the defendant Serob Bozoyan. Defendant’s lawyer Karen Manucharyan will speak during the next hearing scheduled for October 17.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, a tragedy occurred during the ruling Republican Party’s (RPA) parliamentary election campaign rally and concert held at Yerevan’s Republic Square on May 4. Hundreds of balloons filled with gas exploded and started to burn. Subsequently, the balloons’ melted rubber fell on the event participants. Those near the stage were affected the most, and 154 people were injured.

Subsequently, German plastic surgeon Adrian Daigler, who was invited to Armenia upon the instruction of President and RPA leader Serzh Sargsyan, operated on nine patients who suffered injuries from the balloon blast. And the last patient was discharged on July 2.       

Serob Bozoyan, who had filled these balloons, is charged with manufacturing and selling products not meeting safety regulations and causing harm to two or more people.