TOROSIAN SENTENCED TO 1.5-YEAR IMPRISONMENT
Support A1+!Hrant Hakobian, 1964, was murdered near the so-called “Tezh Ler” on Vanadzor-Dilijan highway April 26. Some connected the assassination with the upcoming parliamentary election as Hrant was killed during a skirmish with NA deputy Vahram Baghdasarian's proponents.
Gor Torosian, 1980, was charged with the murder. Torosian gave himself up and confessed everything. The preliminary inquest revealed that Torosian had resorted to self-defense at an attempt to protect his friends.
First Instance Court of Lori Marz sentenced Gor Torosian to 1.5-year imprisonment. Thus, Gor Torosian was found guilty of Hrant Hakobian's murder on the data submitted by the preliminary inquest.
Hrant's sister Hasmik Hakobian and her representative Arthur Sakunts, the head of the Vanadzor-based regional branch of the Armenian Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly (HCA), find the preliminary investigation incomplete and controversial.
They state that Samvel Diloyan, a member of the Vanadzor Alderman, his friend Aren Veranian and Alderman member Vahagn Avagian should be engaged in the case hearings. Moreover, according to Arthur Sakunts, the inquest ignored the shortcomings of the witnesses' testimonies.
Hakobian's legal successors are going to appeal the verdict.
Naira Bulghadarian
