Lawyer: bishops couldn’t receive expert findings
Panarmenian.net
Arsen Babayan, attorney representing Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, responded on Facebook to media reports attributed to a group of bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, challenging the claim that they had received forensic findings regarding a controversial video.
Babayan argued that “even if such an expert opinion existed, it could not have been provided to any other party, including the bishops mentioned,” citing the confidentiality of pre-trial proceedings.
“Neither I nor Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan received any decision on the appointment of a forensic examination, nor any expert report,” he said.
“This forms a reasonable belief that no such forensic examination was ever ordered or conducted,” he added, referencing the legal procedures outlined in Armenia’s Code of Criminal Procedure.
Babayan also called on the Investigative Committee of Armenia to issue “clear and exhaustive clarifications” due to the public sensitivity of the matter.
“The press has circulated an image of a letter allegedly from Armenian bishops. I don’t know whether the letter is genuine or not. Since it concerns internal ecclesiastical matters, I do not wish to comment on that part.
However, since the letter contains statements relevant to my client’s legal situation, I felt compelled to respond.”
He insisted that any real forensic conclusion could not legally be shared with others beyond the defense and prosecution, reiterating the need for an official statement from the Investigative Committee.
