Armenia: Defense Lawyers Boycott the Trial of Accused Opposition Leaders

Defense lawyers refused to appear at the March 17 trial of seven opposition leaders accused of masterminding last year's deadly riots in Armenia. Describing the hearings as "farcical," the attorneys accused Judge Mnatsakan Martirosian of bias against the defendants and of violating court procedures.

In response, Yerevan District Judge Maritosian ordered administrative punishment of lawyers Liparit Simonian, Malanya Arustumian and Vardui Elbakian, the A1plus news agency reported.

Court hearings have been repeatedly postponed following heated arguments between defendants, lawyers and Maritosian. The next hearing date has been set for March 23.

The defendants -- parliamentarians Myasnik Malkhasian, Akop Akopian, Sasun Mikaelian, former Foreign Minister Alexander Arzumanian, former interior ministry security chief Suren Sirunian, former Abovian Mayor Grigor Voskerchian, and opposition politician Shant Arutyunian -- are supporters of opposition leader and ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian.