May 20, 2009 - 14:45 AMT
RA Appellate Court left verdict unchanged
RA Appellate Court did not overturn lower court's decision over former Deputy Prosecutor General Gagik Jhangiryan's. case.

On April 23, the First Instance Court of Kentron and Nork Marash districts found ex-Deputy Prosecutor General Gagaik Jhangiryan guilty under Section 1, Article 316 of RA Criminal Code (violence against a representative of authorities). Jhangiryan was sentenced to 3 years in prison, with February 23 considered the official date of entry into force of verdict.

During post-electoral protests in March-February 2008, Jhangiryan backed opposition and accused authorities of falsifying elections. On February 23, 2008, he was arrested by law enforcement agencies. Under a decree issued by President Robert Kocharyan on the same day, Jhangiryan was dismissed from post. He was charged with crimes prescribed by Articles 316 (Violence against a representative of authorities), 235 (illegal possession of weapons) and 300 (usurping state power) of RA Criminal Code.