Chamber of Advocates of Armenia condemns removal of lawyer Yerem  Sargsyan from Tsarukyan case

ArmInfo.The Board of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia has condemned the removal of lawyer Yerem Sargsyan from the proceedings concerning Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and businessman.

According to a statement issued by the Chamber of Advocates, the  Board reviewed an application submitted by the lawyer on July 24  regarding the violation of his rights, as well as the conclusion  issued on July 27 by the Commission for the Protection of Advocates'  Rights of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia.

"Following the review of the above, guided by the requirements of  Article 10 of the Law of Armenia 'On Advocacy', the Board of the  Chamber unanimously decided: to condemn actions that contain threats  of disclosing attorney-client privilege and signs of interference  with the professional independence of the lawyer. Specifically, this  includes the removal of lawyer Yerem Sargsyan from participation in  the proceedings without a direct statutory and duly justified basis;  summoning him for interrogation as a witness in the same criminal  proceeding; demanding information constituting attorney-client  privilege; and conducting or planning to conduct actions regarding  the lawyer's office, residential premises, property, or information  carriers that could lead to the disclosure of attorney-client  privilege," the Board stated.

The Board of the Chamber of Advocates called on the body conducting  the criminal proceedings to immediately review the legality and  validity of the decision to release Sargsyan from participation in  the proceedings and to refrain from questioning the attorney  regarding circumstances that became known to him in connection with  the provision of legal assistance or an appeal to him for such  assistance; Refrain from conducting a search or other examination of  a lawyer's office, residence, vehicle, property, or digital media if  such actions relate to circumstances related to the exercise of legal  practice.

"We also call for the complete inviolability of documents, digital  data, and communications media containing attorney-client privilege,  the necessary measures to restore and effectively ensure the right of  the accused to defense by a lawyer of their choice, and the provision  of at least a level of public accountability that, without  compromising the legitimate interests of the preliminary  investigation, will address the legitimate concerns of the legal  community and the public," the Board noted.

The Board demanded that the Armenian Prosecutor's Office, within its  constitutional authority, exercise due oversight over the legality of  actions that infringe on the rights of a lawyer, attorney-client  privilege, and the right to defense.

Furthermore, the legal association demanded that the Human Rights  Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, national and international human  rights organizations, and Armenia's international partners keep the  current situation under close scrutiny, and, if necessary, respond  and assist in preventing the recurrence of such incidents. "The Board  will continue to monitor developments and, within its competence,  take measures aimed at ensuring the independence of the lawyer,  preserving attorney-client privilege, and effectively implementing  the right to defense," the Board of the Chamber of Advocates of  Armenia concluded.

Recall, on July 22, Sargsyan was summoned to the Investigative  Committee for questioning as a witness in the Gagik Tsarukyan case.  According to him, the investigators justified the summons by saying  that one of the defendants in the case, an Iranian citizen, testified  that he was present at several of their meetings with Tsarukyan.