ArmInfo. Several dozens of Armenian citizens gathered outside the Erebuni Plaza hotel, where Viktor Soghomonyan is going to give a press conference today. He is the head of Robert Kocharyan's office, who is accused of overthrowing the constitutional order. The people are chanting "Murderer". A minute earlier, they managed to break through the resistance of the security service and climb to the 5th floor of the hotel, where a meeting with the press will take place.
Yesterday, the Armenian Court of Appeal granted the petition of the lawyers of the former President Robert Kocharyan and canceled the decision of the first instance court. According to his lawyer Ruben Sahakyan, the constitutional rule on the inviolability of the former heads of state became the basis for changing the measure of restraint. As Sahakyan said, a person can not face a criminal prosecution during or after the presidential term, if his actions were based on his status, and in this context the decision of the first instance on arrest is unlawful. At the same time, as the lawyer said, Robert Kocharyan continues to remain in the status of the accused. As for the question in what way should the further trial undergo, Sahakyan called on to address the question to the investigation. Sahakyan is convinced that the investigation will appeal against the decision of the court. The decision of the Court of Cassation lies ahead. In addition, he did not rule out the complete closure of the criminal case on the usurpation of state power in 2008.
It is noteworthy that Sasun Khachatryan, head of the Special Investigative Service, earlier said in an interview with Public TV, touching upon the inviolability of the ex-president, said that this principle does not apply to former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. "There can be no absolute inviolability. The norm of the constitution, which was in effect in 2008, envisaged and provides for the president inviolability connected with actions arising from his status. Today, the second president is charged with committing a crime that is classified as particularly serious and is specified in Article 2 Constitution (Power in the Republic of Armenia belongs to the people., Assignment of power by any organization or person is a crime)," Khachatryan said.