Lawyers for former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan returned to a Yerevan court today to argue for the release of their client from pre-trial detention.

Large crowds gathered outside the Nor Nork branch of Yerevan’s Court of General Jurisdiction for a third day, to either call for Kocharyan’s release or to demand he remain behind bars.

Kocharyan, who served as president of Armenia from 1998 to 2008, has been charged with usurping state power in March 2008, during post-presidential election protests, and accepting US$ 3 million in bribes.

Ten people died during the protests, culminating on March 1-2, 2008, and scores more were injured when police and army units were mobilized to disperse demonstrators.