Trial of life-termers continues in Nubarashen
The trial of runaway life-termers Soghomon Kocahryan and Mher Yenokyan continues in the Nubarashen Penitentiary Institution. After a plotted escape of November 27, the prisoners were discovered on December 18, 2009 through the efforts of National Security Service and Penal Department at RA Justice Ministry.
Witness in court today was Gurgen Shahbazyan, who "hosted" runaway Soghomon Kocharyan in his house in Mughni, Aragarsotn region. Shahbazyan made friends with Kocharyan during the Karabakh war.
The witness assured the presentees that he had been unaware of Kocharyan's escape and had heard nothing from him for 15 years. He even thought Kocharyan was in Russia.
In response to Prosecutor Harutyun Harutyunyan's inquiry whether he hadn't heard about the prison break from media, the witness gave a negative answer.
"My close neighbours tell me about the escape either," said Gurgen Shahbazyan.
The other witnesses summoned to court did not show up.
The court sitting was adjourned till May 4.
After the sitting, Mher Yenokyan's Advocate Robert Revazyan told A1+ that the trial would hardly change the term of sentence. Escape from jail is a criminal offense, which foresees a sentence up to 8 years and will be added to life imprisonment.
"The point is that in 20 years' time Robert Revazyan and Soghomon Kocharyan cannot be granted early release as thy have twice escaped from prison," said the advocate.
