Today, the Shengavit Court continued the trial in the case of Bagrat Srbazan and others. One of the defendants, Aghvan Arshakyan, did not attend the session.

“His condition sharply deteriorated today; he called for an ambulance. The ambulance staff could not establish any contact with the probation service. They said he needed to be transported to the hospital, but it was not possible. He was administered Analgin-Dimedrol, I don’t know how effective it will be,” the defense attorney stated during the session, noting that the state is unable to provide medical care for a person under house arrest.

The defense summarized that Arshakyan is absent because the state ignores his health condition.

“This is evidenced by the fact that we have repeatedly requested that an MRI scan be conducted. Today, again, the ambulance staff mentioned this, yet neither the police nor the probation service ensured that he would be transported to the hospital and properly examined,” the attorney said.

Judge Karen Farkhoyan announced a 10–15 minute recess. He then began reading the names of the defendants again to check who was present and who was absent.

The judge asked defendant Armen Aleksanyan, since his lawyer Alexander Kochubaev “due to known circumstances” was not present, whether he had another lawyer or could arrange for another defense attorney to participate.

A. Aleksanyan replied that he could not. The court session was recessed.

After the recess, Judge Karen Farkhoyan announced that Aghvan Arshakyan had appeared. He was asked to provide brief information about what had happened.

“I had a severe headache, I called an ambulance. They administered Analgin-Dimedrol to help me sleep. It had been about 40 minutes. I haven’t slept,” A. Arshakyan said.

Defendant Armen Aleksanyan stated that he insists on the presence of his lawyer Kochubaev and refuses the public defender.

Defense attorney Ruben Melikyan suggested ensuring Kochubaev’s presence: “Just as the court ensures the presence of defendants in detention, it should also ensure the presence of lawyer Kochubaev in the courtroom.”

This proposal was supported by the other defense attorneys.

The prosecution stated that it had no objection, but was unsure whether such mechanisms or procedures exist.

Judge Karen Farkhoyan said there is no decision to remove Kochubaev from the proceedings and then announced that today’s session could not continue because Kochubaev was not present.