Vedi, Armenia, June 5, 2012 - The judge presiding over the trial of domestic violence survivor Mariam Gevorgyan rejected the plaintiff's motion for him to withdraw on the grounds that he is not impartial. Note, according to Armenian law, it is the judge himself who decides if he is impartial or not.

The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women and Mariam Gevorgyan's supporters, demanding a fair and open trial, on June 5 organized a demonstration outside the Court of First Instance of Ararat and Vayots Dzor Districts.

Recall, Mariam was subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her mother-in-law Haykanush Mikaelyan, as well as by her husband, David Ziroyan after the couple married in 2009, then left for St. Petersburg, where the husband’s family live. For 10 months, Mariam was subject to repeated abuse by David and members of his family.

After returning to Yerevan, Mariam contacted police, who subsequently charged David with “inflicting willful medium-gravity damage to health” and “battery” to which he pleaded guilty.

The general amnesty granted by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in 2011, however, was applied to David and he was released.

David's mother continues to face charges of infliction of willful medium-gravity damage to health, as well as torture (RA Criminal Code Article 119).

“Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women (Armenia)” reports that the next court date is set for June 14 at 12:30 pm in Artashat (the court has been moved to Artashat because there is no audio recorder in the court in Vedi).