THE ACCUSED OF THE TERRORIST ACT AGAINST RNK PRESIDENT ARKADY GHUKASIAN CONFIRM THEIR EARLIER STATEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net - 26.09.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The trial of the terrorist act against RNK president Arkady Ghukasian was continued today in Stepanakert.

Right after the morning session began, the court proceeded to accused Vardan Tashchyan's cross-examination, which was stopped yesterday due to Tashchyan's bad health condition. Answering the questions of the lawyers, Tashchyan stated he shared the views of Samvel Babayan in questions of political struggle. In reply to the question of S. Babayan's lawyer, Zh. Shakarian, whether physical force was applied to him, V. Tashchyan gave satisfactory answer, noting that it was used only twice. He once again confirmed all his statements which he had given both during the preliminary investigation and in the court.

Then the court heard the statements of the accused David Gulyan, who is charged with preparation of the terrorist act and participation in its realization, in particular, in providing the leaving of the direct executors from the place of the event. He confirmed his earlier statements he had made during the preliminary investigation, saying that the terrorist act was organized by Samvel Babayan. D. Gulyan told in detail about the two unsuccessful attempts upon the life of the RNK president they committed at the persistent demand of the ex defense minister of Nagorno Karabakh. He confessed that after committing the crime, Sasun Aghajanian entrusted him to eliminate the masks and gloves they had used during the terrorist act. David Gulyan informed the court that he began to make statements to the investigation group after he was presented the written testimony of the other accused, who had minutely told about all the actions connected with his role in the organization and realization of the terrorist act.

The trial is still in progress. -0-