The trial of Anna Mkrtchyan, a young mother charged with killing her baby, got underway today at the Syunik Regional Court of Jurisdiction in the town of Goris.

The session lasted for only a few minutes since the defendant said she wished to be represented by a lawyer. Given Mkrtchyan’s very limited resources, the court will apply to the Public Defense Office for a pro-bono lawyer.

In September of last year, Mkrtchyan publicly confessed to killing the child and claimed that Azat Ghukasyan, the mayor of Hartashen, had raped her.

The next trial date was set for April 9.