The murder trial of Zaruhie Petrosyan, the 20 year-old Armenian woman, who was physically abused by her husband Yanis Sarkisov, resumed yesterday.

A female neighbour of Zaruhie testified in court that the woman seemed depressed and sad right before she died. The witness also said that the day before her death, Zaruhie's grandmother saw how Yanis Sarkisov dragged and beat his cowering wife.

Also read out in court was the testimony of two witnesses now outside Armenia. They had testified they had personally witnessed Yanis Sarkisov beating his wife.

One of the witnesses had stated that Zaruhie wanted a divorce since she could no longer put up with her husband's periodic beatings and violent behaviour.

Also publicized were the results of evidence testing.

During yesterday's trial, the defense presented a motion asking that future court session be conducted behind closed doors. The judge denied the motion.

The next trial date in the case is September 30.