June 1, 2006

Heritage Headquarters Still Bolted: Court Case Delayed Again

Yerevan—The hearing of Heritage Party Chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian’s case against the administration of the Paronian Theater reconvened today at the Court of First Instance of Yerevan’s Central and Nork-Marash communities. It was again presided over by Judge Edward Avetisian. The defendant had not appeared at, but had sent written objections to, the previous hearing on May 19, in response to which Vahagn Grigorian, Raffi Hovannisian’s attorney, moved to bring additional causes of action against the theater’s management as well as against the Department on State Property Management (DSPM) of the government. The Court, taking all submissions into account, had continued the trial until June 1.

Opening today’s hearing of the case, Judge Avetisian presented the particulars of the lawsuit, citing that it includes the plaintiff’s claims against both defendants to remove the unlawful encroachment upon the right of access, control, and usage of his property, as well as those which derive under the law by consequence of defendant’s nullification of contracts.

Prior to the examination of the case, Grigorian submitted a petition demanding that the lead defendant Paronian Theater, which was being represented by its director Karapet Shahbazian, submit to the Court original copies of the lease, payments made thereunder, and all other documents pertaining to the space long rented by Raffi Hovannisian. These records are now “locked and sealed” behind the doors and windows of the premises located at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street.

Interrupting Grigorian’s argument in support of his motion, Aram Ghlechian, the legal representative of defendant DSPM, requested a continuance in order to study further the details of the claims made by Hovannisian.

The Court granted Ghlechian’s petition and ordered a one-week postponement of the case.