They aren’t the sons of a regional governor or officials, yet they stand trial.

Instead of the real criminals the wrong types of people are being put on trial—those without produce and blood pressure monitors.

Since “all individuals are equal before the law and are subject to prosecution,” the robbers of potatoes worth 11,000 dram are the ones subject to prosecution, since their fathers are not regional governors, ministers or parliament members and don’t hold higher governmental positions.

‘Theft’ of Potatoes Worth Only 11,000 Dram

Taxi Driver Andranik Nikoghosyan is a culprit. He would up in Armavir’s Court of First Instance and has already appeared during two court sessions. However, he hasn’t understood the procedural status of his case. He doesn’t know why he’s receiving notifications and what they have to do with the filed criminal charges. He can’t comprehend the story of his trial and what testimonies or information they have to use against him. Perhaps they’re using his own testimony to find him guilty.

Nikoghosyan has been indicted for stealing 11,000 dram’s worth of potatoes. The instance occurred on June 25, 2014 at around 2:00 am. Under a prior agreement with S. Grigoryan of the village of Arshaluys located in the Armavir region and M. Mikaelyan of the village of Haytagh, he allegedly illegally entered the home garage of M. Mouradyan also of Arshaluys and committed the theft, causing property damage to Mouradyan.

Nikoghosyan is being prosecuted under article 177 of the Armenian penal code (premeditated theft committed by a group of individuals by entering a warehouse or building) for committing a criminal act.

Nikoghosyan claims that he wasn’t aware of what goods were being transported that day since he performs jobs for many people. He doesn’t have a lawyer and doesn’t know his basic rights. He said he never entered another’s home,   didn’t steal the potatoes and doesn’t understand why he has appeared in court. Now he’s left to defend his rights all alone.

Blood Pressure Monitor ‘Stolen’ from Parliamentarian Samvel Aleksanyan’s Pharmacy

Another criminal case is being heard in the same court. Armen Poghosyan is accused of stealing a blood pressure measuring device from the Etchmiadzin Natali Pharm drugstore. He was found guilty of keeping the monitor made by Citizen worth 25,800 dram under his jacket and running away with it.

Poghosyan’s friend Aram Aslanyan has also been accused of intentionally selling the stolen device acquired by Boghosyan for 8,000 dram to an unknown person.

Poghosyan is being prosecuted under article 176 of the Armenian penal code (robbery) while Aslanyan is charged under article 216 (evidently receiving goods that were acquired or sold).