Today, September 29, Archbishop Mikhail’s defense filed a motion to disqualify Judge Armine Meliksetyan, who is presiding over the case, from additional hearings.
Defense attorney Ara Zohrabyan argued that the judge violated the Criminal Code by failing to notify the parties of their right to file motions before the next hearing after the verdict was announced.
He argued that this could be the case in two ways: either the judge is incompetent or discriminatory. “We are inclined to argue that the judge is discriminatory toward Archbishop Mikhail,” he said, citing a number of facts to support his assertion.
The court denied the motion.
The prosecutor in this case petitioned for Archbishop Mikhail’s imprisonment for two years and six months.
As a reminder, on September 24, the court sentenced Archbishop Mikhail, finding him guilty under Article 422, Part 2 of the Criminal Code (public calls for the seizure of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, and the violent overthrow of the constitutional order).
The pretrial detention measure was upheld with a restriction.
During additional hearings today, the court will discuss a number of issues with the parties, including aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the type and amount of punishment.
It should be noted that Archbishop Mikhail is facing a public criminal prosecution under Article 422, Part 2 of the Criminal Code (public calls for the seizure of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, and the violent overthrow of the constitutional order).