The thing that happened today in the court of first instance of Aragatsotn marz is a sensation for the juridical system of Armenia. Judge Ruzanna Barseghyan made a decision of acquittal about one of the accusations brought towards Sasha Davtyan for raping his under-aged daughter.

"The trial has not approved Sasha Davtyan's guilt", the judge was reading the decision with an excited and trembling voice. But the judge imprisoned Sasha Davtyan for 4 years, for allegedly torturing his 22 year old daughter, T. D.

But Sasha Davtyan's both daughters came to the court with a bunch of flowers being assured that the court would release their father and the flowers would make him happy. The trial ended for them very sadly. They threw away the flowers and by hugging each other they started to cry. "My father has slapped on my face, he did it right, it is not their business", says Termine, "and the policemen, the investigator Ruben Vardanyan who tortured us for several days, and deprived from our father, would they answer?"

A question that worries not only these poor girls, but the whole society. Atmosphere of impunity in Armenia is so deepened that any case of justice administration is a sensation. The thing is about activities of certain law enforcement bodies, that's of police. In this case Erik Poghosyan and investigator Ruben Vardanyan had a privileged status and treated this unprotected family as they wished. The Prosecutor's office is only able to use its sword against poor people; under-aged people, let him bring a case against these people.

"We are ashamed in this village; our reputation is at stake", said Sasha Davtyan's brother Samvel, who was taking care of the girls during this period.

Sasha Davtyan's attorney Khanum Mkrtchyan highly appreciates judge Ruzanna Barseghyan's this step. "not every judge could prevail over the pressures of the prosecutor's office and acquit a person". The attorney will submit an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Zhanna Aleksanyan