Investigators seek detention of Catholicos Karekin II's relatives

Armenian investigators have requested the detention of Catholicos Karekin II's brother and nephew. According to lawyer Ara Zohrabyan, a motion has been filed to the Armavir Court of General Jurisdiction to remand 68-year-old Gevorg Nersisyan and his son Hambardzum Nersisyan in pretrial custody.

Zohrabyan told reporters on Monday that the prosecution’s case is based solely on the testimony of one individual, disregarding the Nersisyans’ statements and video evidence. 

“If this is the standard that’s going to be applied, what happens when someone accuses an investigator, a prosecutor or a judge of soliciting a bribe?” he said.

Earlier reports indicated that Harutyun Mkrtchyan, a candidate from the Republic Party running in the Vagharshapat municipal elections, alleged on Facebook that on November 1, Gevorg Nersisyan and his sons obstructed his campaign activities. The Nersisyans are now facing charges of hooliganism and interference with election campaigning.

The Investigative Committee confirmed that criminal proceedings had been launched under Article 211 of Armenia’s Criminal Code pertaining to coercion or obstruction of election campaigning. The two men were arrested on Sunday.