YEREVAN. – It is almost certain that the Court of Cassation will petition to the Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia to decide on the matter of immunity within the framework of the charge brought against second President Robert Kocharyan, according to Hraparak (Square) newspaper. 

“We learned that the CC also has made a Judgment of Solomon, and has decided to petition to the Venice Commission that the latter give a conclusion with respect to immunity,” Hraparak wrote.

Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan 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 July 27, Kocharyan was remanded in custody for two months by a court decision. But on August 13, the Court of Appeal granted Robert Kocharyan’s legal defenders’ appeal to commute the first-instance court’s decision on remanding their client in custody, and Kocharyan was released from courtroom on the grounds that he has presidential immunity.

On March 1 and 2, 2008, the then authorities used force against the opposition members who were rallying in downtown Yerevan, and against the results of the 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.