Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan did not appear in court today where he faces charges of bribe taking and usurping state power.

Kocharyan defense lawyer Aram Vardevanyan told Judge Danibekyan that his client had undergone surgery and presented a letter from the director of the Izmirian Medical Center stating that Kocharyan cannot attend court hearings for the next two weeks since he will undergo post-operative care.

Kocharyan has refused to reveal his medical condition publicly in court, claiming it is a personal matter.

The trial was postponed until November 5.

The court case of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and three other ex-government officials charged with the overthrowing of constitutional order during the post-election protests in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008, began on September 12 at the Shengavit branch of Yerevan’s Court of General Jurisdiction.