Defense is sure that the arrest of Zhirayr Sefilyan, the Artsakh War hero, co-founder of New Armenia Front, is a political order, Ara Zakaryan, Sefilyan's lawyer told reporters.
He explained this with Sefilyan's calls for liberation of the territories losses during Azerbaijan's April aggression. "Five days after Sefilyan said that the Armenian side lost not 500 sq m but at least 700ha, President Serzh Sargsyan inherently confirmed his statement by saying that the Armenian side lost 800ha," the lawyer said.
Zakaryan said the Defense is sure that the authorities try to isolate Sefilyan from political processes in the country and the Investigative Committee is a tool for them. He said that during Sefilyan's detention, a number of violations were made, including obstacles were created to Sefilyan's contacting his lawyer.
"As the lawyer of the given case, I have no access to the materials of the case. I am not allowed to ask specifying questions during the interrogation of witnesses so that I could verify how reliable is the information they provide. The witnesses are scared and I do not rule out even a physical pressure on them," Zakaryan said.
The lawyer said Sefilyan says the charges brought against him are forged. That is why he refuses to give testimonies. However, he asked his lawyer to disclose the truth and make it public.
The Investigate Committee of Armenia has filed charges against Artsakh war hero and initiator of New Armenia movement Zhirayr Sefilyan under Article 235.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, sale, keeping, transportation of firearms, ammunition, cartridges, and explosives). The Investigative Committee has requested the court to choose arrest as a measure of restraint against Sefilyan. The Committee says that under the case 9 people, including Sefilyan, have been detained as defendants and 1 has been put on the wanted list. To note, Article 235.2 of the Armenian Criminal Code implies imprisonment for 2-6 years.
On June 20, 2016, Zhirayr Sefilyan was detained on suspicion of organizing a criminal group. 8 persons face charges of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. 6 have been arrested and 1 is wanted. According to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, Sefilyan and his supporters were planning to seize buildings of state importance in early April.