Late on Friday, July 27, the court in Yerevan sentenced Former President Robert Kocharyan to 2 month in jail. This is the first time a former Soviet republic leader is arrested.
Kocharyan’s attorneys called for a press conference on July 28. Lawyer Ruben Sahakyan said he had no doubts Kocharyan would be arrested, and that the case is politically motivated. “Clearly, this is a political demand that must be fulfilled. Who made this demand I, naturally, cannot say. I can assume, but cannot say” - Sahakyan noted.
Along with Kocharyan, Secretary General of the CSTO and former Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia Yuri Khachaturov was arrested. On Saturday, July 28, he was released on 5,000,000 drams bail (approximately $10,400). Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan tweeted earlier that Armenia suggested CSTO partner countries to start the process of replacing the Secretary General.
Robert Kocharyan is accused of breaking the chapter 300.1 of the Criminal Code on attempting to change the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia by force during the March 1 events.
Mass protests were held in Yerevan in March 2008 following presidential elections at which Serzh Sargsyan replaced his predecessor and ally Kocharyan. Police brutally dispersed protesters leaving 10 people dead.