Former Armenian Defense Minister Tonoyan’s Lawyers Want Public Trial
Posted on June. 14. 2022
Lawyers for former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan, arrested last September in a criminal probe regarding the supply of defective ammunition to the country’s military, say they will file a motion today to have all subsequent court sessions involving their client in open court and not behind closed doors.
The lawyers, in a statement, say the motion is in accordance with the requirements of Article 6, Part 1, of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms and Article 16 of Armenia’s Criminal Procedure Code.
“The defense intends to submit to the court documents proving the baselessness of the accusation, which do not have any classification, i.e., do not contain any secrets, do not contain any risk that harms the interests of national security or the protection of public order, at least in this court session,” the statement reads.
Tonoyan’s lawyers argue closed door sessions will lead to unjustified restrictions on the principle of openness of the trial and will violate the interests of justice.