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Yerevan court sentenced today Serob Bozoyan, the only defendant in the case of balloon blast in Yerevan in May 2012, to one year in prison. Gas-filled balloons exploded during a campaign rally in Yerevan’s central Republic Square on May 4, 2012, sending 154 people to hospital with burn injuries. Serob Bozoyan, who charged the balloons, had been charged with releasing/realizing products that do not meet security standards, causing health damage to two or more people due to negligence. The balloons had been ordered by the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

Panorama.am asked head of RPA youth wing, MP Karen Avagyan several questions about the court’s decision and the party’s responsibility for the blast.

- Mr Avagyan, Serob Bozoyan was sentenced today to 1 year in prison. What would you say in this regard?

- But…it is court’s decision, so I see no need to comment on it. It is the same when you ask this question to any other person.

- Do you mean that there is no connection between you and Serob Bozoyan?

- No, there is no connection. I have repeatedly said this. Despite many speculations, I see no problem here. In any case, I assure you that I have nothing to do with that. I was not an organizer of the event, and I have repeatedly said this.

- Hadn’t the Republican Party ordered the balloons?

- The balloons had been ordered by the party’s organizational unit, not me. These are different things.

- Aren’t you in charge of the organizational activities?

- No.

- Isn’t there a question that the Republican Party is responsible for the blast?

- I don’t understand your question. The defendant has admitted his guilt and the court made a decision in the case. So what's the question?

- The defendant’s lawyer told the court today that Serob Bozoyan had warned RPA about the risk of filling balloons with methane. What can you say about it?

- I know nothing of the kind.

- You don’t know, or he had not warned RPA about the risk?

- If he had warned RPA, I am sure the party would have taken it into consideration. RPA could not have been warned about it.