Yerevan court OKs pre-trial detention of fallen soldier's father

The Shengavit District Court of General Jurisdiction in Yerevan on Saturday ordered a two-month pre-trial detention for Garik Galeyan, whose soldier son Mkhitar was killed in the 2020 Artsakh war.

Galeyan was arrested on Friday on suspicion of illegal drug acquisition, possession and sale. He is a member of the Call of Sons NGO critical of the Armenian government.

Many people gathered outside the court building in a show of support for the fallen soldier’s father.

Speaking to reporters, his lawyer, Vahan Hovhannisyan, argued that Galeyan had three health conditions incompatible with detention and unveiled their plans to appeal the ruling to a higher court.