THE TRIAL OF THE TERRORIST ACT AGAINST RNK PRESIDENT IS IN PROGRESS

PanARMENIAN.Net - 27.09.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The court session on the case of the terrorist act against RNK president Ghukasian is proceeding in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. Yesterday afternoon the statements of the accused Albert Arustamian, Erik Faramazian and Varuzhan Melkumian were heard at the session, reports the correspondent of MEDIAMAX from RNK.

Albert Arustamian told the court how he got rid of the masks and the gloves used by Sasun Aghajanian and Levon Mirzoyan when committing the crime.

Samvel Babayan's brother-in-law, the accused Erik Faramazian, confirmed all his statements made during the preliminary investigation and fixed in the indictment. At the same time he tried to lay all the guilt of organizing the terrorist act on Sasun Aghajanian who undergoes medical treatment at present.

Defendant Varuzhan Melkumian also confirmed his earlier statements. He particularly noted that after the first meeting of the criminal group he decided not to participate in the attempt upon the life of the RNK president, as he didn't want to become a murderer. In reply to the question of RNK general prosecutor Mavrik Ghukasian, why then he didn't leave the criminal group, V. Melkumian said the fear for his family kept him from doing that.

After the court session Samvel Babayan, addressing Varuzhan Melkumian and the other accused, stated: "You will know later what fear is".

The court will continue its work today. -0-