Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan, declared during a September 8 court hearing that he is being prosecuted for fulfilling his constitutional duties. Kocharyan argued that the indictment against him was “created in a political office” and is riddled with “absurdities.” He pointed out that any crime requires a motive, yet the charges cite two unclear motives: preserving a “desired system of power” and transferring power to his associate, Serzh Sargsyan.

“What does ‘desired system of power’ mean? Who can explain this? It can only be changed through a referendum,” he said, stressing that the constitution obliges the president to protect state institutions. “It turns out I’m being accused of something that is my duty as president; this is absurd.”

On the allegation of transferring power to Sargsyan, Kocharyan noted that the indictment does not even define who Sargsyan is. He reminded the court that under Armenia’s constitution, presidential power is assumed at a parliamentary session following elections conducted by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). “The elections were legal; that is not in doubt,” he stated. “I’m being accused of fulfilling my duties as president so that power could be transferred to the one who was legally elected president.” Kocharyan also asked the court to treat his remarks as a “report on a crime,” insisting that the charges themselves constitute wrongdoing.