Hayk Alumian to appeal against decision about T. Khachatrian’s release

“A misfortune befell the Budaghian family on June 1 of this year, while on September 7 a misfortune befell the justice system as the people to be held accountable were released,” Hayk Alumian- the lawyer of the Budaghians, member of the Chamber of Armenia’s Advocates – told journalists today.

In his words, the decisions taken regarding the case have nothing to do with jurisprudence and logic.

“It is hard to analyze those decisions from a legal viewpoint. The decisions should receive medical, rather than legal assessment. The decision to release Tigran Khachatrian and Zarzand Nikoghosian is a misfortune for the justice system of our country. In this way we may lose faith in the possibility of achieving justice,” Alumian said.

According to him, the incident is presented in such a way that the Khachatrians allegedly defended themselves against an attack of Budaghians. “Nothing was said about 13 cartridge cases found on the scene of incident. 11 of those bullets were fired by Suren Khachatrian’s supporters and 5 hit the mark. Only two bullets were fired from Avetik Budaghian’s gun. The rest were fired in self-defense. The decision is fully based on evidence of Khachatrians,” the lawyer noted.

He announced his intention to file an appeal against those decisions. “Self-defense is out of the question,” he said.

We would remind you that the Investigative Service of Armenian Defense Ministry has decided to terminate criminal proceedings against the son and a bodyguard of Suren Khachatrian, former governor of Syunik province, the press service of the Defense Ministry’s Investigative Service said on Saturday.

According to the source, as a result of an objective and comprehensive examination of the materials collected, their analysis, assessment and comparison, a decision was taken to revoke the measure of restraint against the governor’s son Tigran Khachatrian and his bodyguard Zarzand Nikoghosian and terminate the criminal proceedings against them as there were all signs of justifiable defense in their actions.

Under Article 263 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, an appeal against a decision about termination of criminal proceedings may be filed to the superior prosecutor within 7 days from the moment of receiving the decision’s copy by the suspect, accused person, defendant, their lawyers, the aggrieved person, and his representative.

Avetik Budaghian, a former candidate for Goris mayor, died in the June 2 shooting outside the house of then governor of Syunik province Suren Khachatrian. His brother Artak Budaghian, a military unit commander, received a serious gunshot wound and was hospitalized. The governor’s bodyguard Nikolai Abrahamian was also hospitalized. A criminal case was opened in connection with the incident under the RA Criminal Code’s Article 104 part 2 point 6 (murder), Article 112 part 1 (willful infliction of heavy damage to health) and Article 235 part 1 (illegal purchase, sale, possession, transportation or carrying of arms).