Persons accused of plotting a putsch in Armenia state their innocent

At the request of the advocates, the trial on the case of the preparation of the seizure of power in Armenia has been postponed until January 13, 2017. The defendants present at the today's court session told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about their innocence and accused the investigators of the fabrication of the case.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 25, 2015, the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) announced the detention of members of an armed grouping in the Nork-Marash District. The investigators believe that the members of the grouping had planned to attack the residence of the President, the Constitutional Court, the Parliament and other governmental buildings and the Public Television of Armenia. There are 20 defendants in the case.

The court session on the case of the preparation of the seizure of power in Armenia was held today in the general jurisdiction court of the Kentron and Nork-Marash Districts.

When the power belongs to the people, it is impossible to capture it, Arthur Vardanyan, the alleged leader of the grouping, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent in the courtroom. He did not recognize the legitimacy of the charges against him.

In his turn, the priest Anton Dikran Totondjyan has also denied his involvement in financing the grouping. "The charges against me are fabricated," the priest told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Nelly Minasyan, an activist, who was set free under recognizance not to leave, also refused to acknowledge the charges of the attempt of committing a coup. According to her story, the investigators "had fabricated the case," but she refused to disclose the details.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.