LIVE: Trial begins for opposition activists Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan

The Yerevan Criminal Court on Monday commenced the trial of opposition activists Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan.

The attorneys made opening statements following the remarks made by the prosecutor in the case.

The activists, who co-host the Imnemnimi podcast, were released on May 21, two months after being detained on charges of “hooliganism” for using slur language to criticize Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government.

Presiding judge Arman Hovhannisyan banned them from hosting the Imnemnimi podcast or other programs for three months, applying administrative control.