Court's refusal to release Robert Kocharyan provokes protest action in Yerevan

Supporters of Robert Kocharyan demanded to transfer Robert Kocharyan, the second president of Armenia, under house arrest after the court had again decided to leave him in custody.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 18, the court decided to release Robert Kocharyan. On June 25, the General Prosecutor's Office of Armenia secured his return to custody. On September 17, the defence submitted a new motion for the release of Robert Kocharyan.

On Friday, the court considered the motion filed by the Robert Kocharyan's defence on changing his pre-trial restriction measure from arrest to release on bail. The judge left Robert Kocharyan in custody.

The court's decision provoked the protest of Robert Kocharyan's supporters. They were chanting slogans: "Shame!" and "Corrupt court!", while opponents of the second president of Armenia were shouting: "Bravo!" and "Justice!"

A protest action in support of Robert Kocharyan was also held in front of the courthouse. It gathered more than 400 people.

Let us remind you that on September 17, the police detained two activists at a rally arranged by the Robert Kocharyan's supporters in front of the courthouse. During a court hearing held on September 12, three persons were detained and one was hospitalized after clashes between supporters and opponents of the former president of Armenia.