Robert Kocharyan`s lawyer: Before appealing to the ECHR, the defense intends to try to achieve results in domestic courts.

ArmInfo. Before turning to international courts, the defense of Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, who is currently under arrest, intends to achieve results in domestic courts. This was stated by Hovhannes Khudoyan, the second president's lawyer, at a press conference in Yerevan on September 8.

As the lawyer explained, appealing to international courts is an important component of the legal process. However, she noted, in some cases, this is not the most effective method unless there is a pressing need, such as deteriorating health or threats of violence. "This may be logical if we present a convincing argument that domestic courts are completely ineffective. If we gather such arguments, then of course we will appeal to the ECHR, and perhaps even the UN. As for the ECHR, there is an issue of timing, that is, the time it takes for the court to issue its response. "But of course, we will use all the legal tools at our disposal. Regardless of the effectiveness of certain methods, and despite law enforcement agencies carrying out political orders, we will do everything we can within the law in this case," the lawyer stated.

Speaking about the case itself, Khudoyan confirmed the position of the second president of Armenia's political force that it is part of the Armenian government's political agenda in two main directions. "First of all, this is an attempt to weaken all power centers that might demonstrate any resistance, for example, in relations with Russia and Iran. Secondly, an attempt is being made to seize the resources of those capable of offering this resistance." "In other words, an attempt is being made to lure them into neutral territory through criminal cases and blackmail," the lawyer explained.

Khudoyan also stated that officials currently carrying out the orders of the Armenian authorities must understand that the arrest of Armenia's second president is illegal, meaning that this will serve as grounds for a future conviction. He also confirmed the existence of an issue related to the expiration of the statute of limitations in this case.

As a reminder, on August 25, National Security Council officers conducted searches of the apartment of Levon Kocharyan, a member of the opposition Armenia faction and the son of second president Robert Kocharyan, and of companies affiliated with the Kocharyan family. Robert Kocharyan and Sedrak Kocharyan were then detained and taken to the Anti-Corruption Committee for questioning. However, Robert Kocharyan's condition, which had undergone heart surgery in early August, deteriorated sharply, and he was hospitalized. That same day, Robert Kocharyan was charged with large-scale money laundering, abuse of office, and accepting a large bribe. Nine other individuals were also charged in the case. On August 27, the Anti-Corruption Court ordered Kocharyan's pretrial detention for two months.

It should be added that members of the second Armenian president's political party attribute his arrest to an attempt to neutralize a key member of the opposition, given the Armenian government's readiness to make further concessions to Azerbaijan.