David Hambardzumyan takes advisory role in Masis

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Masis mayor David Hambardzumyan has been appointed as an adviser to the head of the Masis community. The appointment was made by decision of community head Norayr Hakobyan.

In a separate decision, Gevorg Kostanyan was relieved of his duties as an adviser to the community head effective July 29, Factor.am reported.

On June 25, the Criminal Court of Appeal, chaired by Judge Harutyun Petrosyan and with Judges Makar Kirakosyan and Sevak Hambardzumyan on the panel, partially upheld appeals filed by both prosecutors and defense lawyers against the verdict involving former Masis mayor David Hambardzumyan. The court overturned the first-instance ruling with respect to David and Gor Hambardzumyan and referred that part of the case back to the same court for a new trial.

Earlier, after court proceedings that lasted more than seven years, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction found David Hambardzumyan guilty and sentenced him to six years and three months in prison. Hambardzumyan has been on trial since 2019, accused of using armed violence against citizens heading to Yerevan's Republic Square during the period of the change of government.

According to law enforcement authorities, the incident took place on April 22, 2018, between approximately 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the busy Hayanist-Hovtashat intersection and involved the mayor of Masis and his brother.

Hambardzumyan denies the charges, insisting they are fabricated. His appeal against the verdict is currently under consideration by the Criminal Court of Appeal.