Court hearing marred by skirmish: Khalafyan's case delayed again

Court of First Instance in Kodak marz (province) of Armenia has again delayed the court hearing of Vahan Khalafyan's case pointing to the absence of one of the witnesses.

Norayr Eboyan, Police Chief of Charentsavan city, had in written form notified the court that he would for an indefinite period be in abroad for medical treatment and therefore could not show up in the court.

But the court hearing was also marred by a clash between the relatives of Vahan Khalafyan and those of Ashot Harutyunyan, the main suspect and the Head of Criminal Investigation Department of Charentsavan Police.

The next court hearing will take place on August 18.

Vahan Khalafyan, 24, was brought to Charentsavan Police Station on April 13 on theft charges and passed away a few hours later the same day.

According to the official version Khalafyan, having been subjected to torture in the police station, committed a suicide using a knife. But human rights organizations and Khalafyan's relatives say he was killed by police officers.

Four police officers are involved in the case who are charged with torturing Khalafyan which. Of all the four only Ashot Harutyunyan is arrested. The rest have been released on parole.

Photo by Gagik Shamshyan