SJC ousts judge Anna Danibekyan
Armenia’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has dismissed first instance court judge Anna Danibekyan due to “gross disciplinary violation” sought by Judge Minister Grigor Minasyan.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, SJC Chairman Karen Andreasyan stated that Danibekyan showed “negligence” and mishandled the trial of former President Robert Kocharyan which lasted more than four years.
The judge dismissed the case without acquitting or convicting Kocharyan in December 2023, arguing that Kocharyan had invoked the statute of limitations that expired in May.
“The trial lasted 4 years and 4 months because the judge failed to properly fulfill her legal duties,” the SJC chief claimed.
“Judge Anna Danibekyan did not use legal tools to prevent abuse of law through identical motions and did not apply proportionate coercive measures and sanctions to prevent the failure to appear in court,” he added.