YEREVAN. – I believe Mr. Kocharyan can participate in the voting of the NA [National Assembly] elections [on Sunday].

Hayk Alumyan, a member of the attorney team of Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan, stated the above-said at a press conference on Thursday. 

To the remark that Kocharyan’s passport—in order to be able to vote—is not in his possession, Alumyan responded: “I believe we will be able to ensure the technical part of that matter. But I can’t comment on whether or not he would like to participate in the elections. (…). [But] if he decides that he should participate, we will be able to ensure the technical part.”

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 then recent presidential election. 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.