Armenian court refuses to release jailed election winner

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court has denied a defense motion to release political prisoner Mamikon Aslanyan, a former mayor of Vanadzor arrested in December 2021 after defeating Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party in a local election.

Presiding judge Sargis Dadoyan announced the decision on Friday morning.

Aslanyan has been charged with abuse of office and forgery strongly denied by him as politically motivated.