The trial looking into the death of Lieutenant Artak Nazaryan, continued yesterday at the Tavoush Regional Court in the town of Ijevan.

Presiding Judge Samvel Mardanyan warned reporters to be circumspect about their coverage, claiming that Azerbaijani TV stations were broadcasting video segments of the trial taken from Armenian news outlets.

Video reportage for Armenia Liberty radio was being shot by Lori TV based in Vanadzor.

At the previous trial session, the next of kin of the dead soldier had petitioned for the recusal of prosecutor Harutyun Harutyunyan.

On the 27th, Harutyunyan requested a delay in the hearings so that the next of kin, on their way to Ijevan, could be present for a review of their recusal petition.

After a 20 minute break, the family members arrived with their attorneys.

Harutyunyan argued that there was no legal basis for the recusal. Judge Mardanyan returned to chambers to review the petition. The judge rejected the recusal petition.

Lieutenant Colonel Misha Gabrielyan, the commander of the military base where the soldier died, took the witness stand.

Hrant Gevorgyan, attorney for indicted Captain Hakob Manukyan, wanted to call another witness but was overruled by the court.

On the day that Lieutenant Artak Nazaryan died, Gabrielyan was away from the base on holiday.

Gabrielyan testified that he could see no reason why anyone would want to murder Nazaryan and said he was convinced that it was a case of suicide.

The witness could not provide any reason why Nazaryan would want to take his own life.

The next trial date was scheduled for April 17.