YEREVAN. – The supporters of second President Robert Kocharyan on Friday staged a picket outside the building of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Armenia. In their words, they were voicing the ongoing violations in the criminal case against Kocharyan and several other former senior officials, in connection with the events that occurred in capital city Yerevan, in March 2008.

“All that [the aforesaid violations] is happening right before your and the entire world’s eyes, but no intervention is made by you,” attorney Vahe Yepikyan said, in particular, addressing the SJC members. “We call on you to be—within the framework of the legislation—the guarantor of the judicial power, to oversee the impartiality of the judicial power, the existence of independent courts in Armenia.”

In his words, it is also a violation that there is no trial on Kocharyan at present.

“Dear SJC members, (...) we urge you to remain within your powers prescribed by law,” Yepikyan added, in particular.

“You can’t hide under collective irresponsibility,” the protesters said, addressing the SJC members. “You will be individually accountable.”

On March 1 and 2, 2008 the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown capital city Yerevan, and against the results of the presidential election on February 19, 2008. Eight demonstrators as well as two servicemen of the internal troops were killed in the clashes.

Second President Robert Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing the constitutional order in Armenia in connection with the aforesaid events, and taking a particularly large bribe.

The Criminal Court of Appeal overturned the first instance court’s decision on releasing Kocharyan from custody, and it ruled that he be remanded in custody yet again.