Yerevan court refuses to free Armenia's former chief prosecutor

A first instance court in Yerevan on Thursday refused to grant bail to Armenia’s former Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan.

The defense lawyers had asked the court to release the ex-official on bail citing his health issues, but presiding judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan denied the motion at an emergency hearing.

Lawyer Mihran Poghosyan told reporters after the hearing that such a decision could be expected. He reiterated that Hovsepyan has serious health issues which are incompatible with his arrest. He unveiled their plans to appeal against the decision.

Aghvan Hovsepyan was arrested last September on charges of bribery, money laundering and illegal entrepreneurial activity denied by him.