YEREVAN, January 9 (Noyan Tapan). The Court of first instance of the Center and Nork-Marash districts of Yerevan, chaired by Judge Saro Aramian, decided to turn down the claim of Raffi Hovannisian, the founder of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies, US-born former Foreign Minister of Armenia, on recognizing as invalid the inaction of the President of Armenia and performing changes in order N907 dated August 10, 2001. The decision was based on articles 130-132 and 163 of the Code of Civil Procedure and was passed on January 9, 2003. The court heard the speech of the respondent, authorized representative of Robert Kocharian, Director of the “Investment Law Group” Juridical Association Artashes Kakoyan. Mr. Kakoyan informed the court that the research of the 1991-1995 archives of the Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia revealed that Raffi Hovannisian did not apply for citizenship to these departments, while this step is foreseen by the legislation. According to him, Mr. Hovannisian applied to the repective bodies only in September 19, 1996, and the case was immediately instituted. Particularly, he has got summons signed by a Jemma Hakobian, which suggests handing the US passport and then get the citizenship of Armenia. However, Raffi Hovannisian showed zero reaction to this document. Only in April 23, 2001 he wrote a message to the US Consul in Armenia, saying that he abandons US citizenship. He got the citizenship in a few months. Thus, Mr. Kakoyan said, Raffi Hovanisian acquired his citizenship legally. The applicant emphasized that no law of Armenia says that the presidential staff or one of his colleagues have the right to grant citizenship. Moreover, the aforementioned subpoena even does not determine the position of this Jemma Hakobian. The representative of the applicant, lawyer Ashot Shahbazian wondered what was the obstacle for the Presdient to consider this issue after the application of Raffi Hovannisian on September 19, 1996 according to the order stipulated by law. Replying to the respondent, noting the impossibility of granting citizenship at an earlier date, the other representative of the applicant Hrayr Tovmassian showed the satisfied application of Mr. Hovannisian dated January 7, 2001. The application is directed to the currnet president of Armenia where (once again) September 23 of 1991 date is mentioned, i.e. the earlier date again. The verdict of the court can be appealed in the Appeals Court within 15 days.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.