The political subtext of the trial over the alleged overthrow of constitutional order is clear. This is what Armenia’s former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan said during today’s trial over the case of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and other ex-officials, expressing his view on the motion for the self-recusal of Judge Anna Danibekyan. The judge didn’t let former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan give political evaluations after Gevorgyan’s attorney file a motion.

“It’s clear that there is bias. We believe that it is clear that there is political persecution. As the defendant, we say that this is the result of political persecution. Expressing a view on self-recusal may also be a political view. Besides this, the periods established by the judge restrict the opportunity to express oneself. If Gevorgyan expressed himself, some people might ask you why you allowed him to express himself, and your actions are continuation of political persecution,” Ohanyan said to the judge.