The trial of Levon Avagyan, former teacher at the Nubarashen #11 School for Special Needs Children, continued today at the Erebuni and Nubarashen District Court. Mr. Avagyan has been charged with abusing former students, including sexual misconduct. A group of protestors staged a demonstration opposite the court house demanding justice be served and those guilty of such criminal behavior be found guilty. At the last court session, Judge Artush Gabrielyan agreed with the defendant’s request that the trial be conducted in a "speeded-up" process. This means that former school students will not be able to testify in court at length regarding the acts of abuse allegedly committed by the former teacher. The protestors are concerned that the court, be agreeing to the process, will try to absolve the staff at the school of their responsibility in the matter, given that many were aware of Mr. Avagyan’s illicit actions. "The principal at the school, despite knowing what was going on, nevertheless condoned the sexual abuse of the students by turning a blind eye. Thus, these crimes continued for many years. The principal has never been investigated and he continues to run the school," reads a statement made by the NGO’s protesting outside the court. The statement notes that while Armenia has signed the U.N. Convention for the Defense of Children’s Rights, the official disregard of such violations and the light sentences handed down by the courts in such cases shows that Armenia in fact tolerates pedophilia and sexual abuse. The prosecuting attorney has asked that Mr. Avagyan be sentenced to 1.5 years.