YEREVAN. – The Criminal Court of Appeal on Friday resumed the trial into the four opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) activists. 

The other activists had gathered at the court yard, and in defense of ANC activist Tigran Arakelyan. 

Although they doubted the independence of the court, they were hopeful that Arakelyan would be released soon.

Those present at the courtroom welcomed Arakelyan with applause. 

Incidentally, the activist had come to the court with red roses, to present them to presiding Judge Yeva Darbinyan. 

The judge, however, suggested Arakelyan to present these flowers to the witness, journalist Ani Gevorgyan.   

Three persons gave additional testimony during Friday’s hearing. 

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, a general jurisdiction court had sentenced ANC activists Tigran Arakelyan, Artak Karapetyan, Sargis Gevorgyan, and Davit Kiramijyan to six, three, and two years, respectively, as a result of an incident that had occurred on August 9, 2011, in capital city Yerevan. The Criminal Court of Appeals had upheld this ruling, and therefore the activists’ attorneys had submitted to the Court of Cassation their objections to this verdict. As a result, six of the young activists were released on signature bond, whereas Arakelyan had remained under arrest.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am