YEREVAN. – Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a congratulatory message to Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan.

In his message, Putin congratulated Kocharyan on the New Year and Christmas holidays, informed the office of the second President of Armenia.

Warmly congratulating the retired President, the Russian President also wished Kocharyan good health, strong spirit, and fortitude.

To note, Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan is in custody since December 7.

With its ruling on December 7, the Criminal Court of Appeal of Armenia upheld the first instance court’s July 27 decision on remanding Robert Kocharyan in custody. On the same day—December 7, Kocharyan handed himself over to a Yerevan penitentiary where he was arrested.   

Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan—along with several other former officials—has been charged within the framework of the criminal case into the tragic events that transpired in capital city Yerevan on March 1 and 2, 2008—and under Article 300.1 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code; that is, breaching Armenia’s constitutional order, in conspiracy with others.

On March 1 and 2, 2008 the then authorities of Armenia used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown 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. But no one had been brought to account for these deaths, to this day.