Today Armenian Court of Appeal confirmed the not guilty verdict on the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect member Lyova Margarian. As reported by «Arminfo» agency, the unanimous verdict virtually closes the case and makes it not available for further appeal. Thus, confirming the verdict made by the court of first instance before, the Court of Appeal considered that the activity of Margarian, who is representative of Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, was not criminal by nature and was not at variance with the country Constitution, which provides for religious liberty. As it is known Margarian was indicted on the paragraph 244 of the Republic of Armenia Criminal Code. According to the accusation, by means of religious propaganda Margarian recruited over ten minors, who in their turn began preaching in Metsamor village school. Besides, due to Margarian’s activity cases of conscript refusal from military service were registered. The court of first instance made a not guilty verdict on the case in September 2001, but at the time the prosecution was not satisfied with the verdict backed by the public opinion.
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