The first hearing in the case against Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, was held at the Anti-Corruption Court under the chairmanship of Judge Givi Hovhannisyan.
During the session, the defense requested that the current case be merged with another one overseen by Judge Aram Grigoryan, according to Panorama.am .
Judge Hovhannisyan accepted the motion and stated that he would petition the court president to issue a corresponding decision. As a result, the trial has been postponed indefinitely.
According to the indictment, between 2006 and 2015—while holding the positions of defense minister, prime minister, and president, and heading the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental commission—Sargsyan allegedly engaged in activities with companies managed by Mikhail Baghdasarov in violation of legal restrictions.
Prosecutors claim that Sargsyan used his official position to assist “Mika Limited” and “Abit” companies in obtaining government privileges. The charges also state that he received a significant amount of property: a 22.5% share in Abit LLC, allegedly transferred via a fictitious deal to “LL Bimbo” LLC.
Judge Hovhannisyan, who is presiding over the preliminary hearing, disclosed that his father was subjected to politically motivated persecution over the 2008 March 1 events—something he described as “clearly unlawful,” according to Pastinfo.
“My father was targeted because of his opposition political views, and my brother, Davit Hovhannisyan, was also prosecuted at that time solely for being Hamlet Hovhannisyan’s son,” the judge stated.
He emphasized, however, that Serzh Sargsyan is not a defendant in the March 1 case, allowing him to remain impartial in the current proceedings.
Defense attorney Ruben Hakobyan responded, “You said your father was subjected to unlawful criminal prosecution—well, Mr. President (Sargsyan) has also faced and continues to face unlawful persecution.”
Neither party saw grounds for recusal, and Judge Givi Hovhannisyan will continue presiding over the case.
