ANC vs Robert Kocharyan

 ICJ Prosecutor’s Office to try the case of the Armenian ex-president

The International Court of Justice in Hague accepted the action "Citizens of Armenia vs ex-president Robert Kocharyan" prepared by the Armenian National Congress (ANC). "We will try this case in a proper order according to the Rome Statute", the ICJ Prosecutor’s office announced. The 280-page case materials, containing information on various law and human rights abuse cases, including the events of  May, 2008 in Yerevan, when 10 people were killed and about 200 received injuries, was signed by more than 10 thousand Armenian citizens and sent to Hague about three weeks ago.

Although Armenia hasn’t ratified the Rome Statute, so officially does not participate in the ICJ, there have been precedents when the United Nations Security Council has transferred such cases to the ICJ.
The news caused a sensation in Armenia.

 "This can be regarded as the demand of all Armenian people. There should be no doubt that ex-president Robert Kocharyan will answer for his actions in front of the court", declared ANC spokesman David Shakchnazaran. We should bear in mind that the opposition regards Kocharyan as the principle perpetrator of the events of May 1, 2008.
However, spokespeople for the ex-president did not make any comment on the situation. The current president's office remained silent as well. The press-secretary of the “Prosperous Armenia”, Hachik Galstan, stressed that the international community has nothing to do with Armenian internal affairs. Arman Saakan, a member of the Armenian Republican Party, called the move treason. Some experts consider this reaction as the proof of their involvement in the event in question.
On one hand, this decision by the ICJ is a positive step for Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, and the governing party ARP, as it prevents Robert Kocharyan and his supporters from attempting to regain power. On the other hand, the president and his milieu are aware of their involvement in the events. So this silence may indicate their concern at being affected by the case as well. It is hard to predict the outcome of this action, but it will certainly affect Armenian domestic policy.

Susunna Petrosian. Exclusively for VK