Overall, the court decision was expected. This is what Aram Orbelyan, one of the attorneys of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, told reporters as he touched upon the sanction that the court applied today.

“Overall, the decision was expected, even though we hoped there would be no court decision because, in essence, the absences from the two trials were due to the fact that the court hadn’t investigated the incident that took place after the trials. The only thing the court had to do was to listen to the recording, ask what had been said and give an evaluation, and only after that would we be able to object or not object. In essence, we can’t appeal, but I’ll consider it with my fellow attorneys,” he stated.

Orbelyan said he and his fellow attorneys have submitted a petition for custody, but expressed confidence that the case needs to be closed.

He didn’t mention the names in the list of people who are ready to give personal pledge to commute Robert Kocharyan’s pre-trial measure, but stated that the list is being finalized.

Under the case regarding the events of March 1, 2008 and being investigated by the Special Investigation Service, second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan is charged with usurpation of power.