Detention of Catholicos Karekin II's relatives extended

An Armenian court on Saturday extended the pre-trial detention of Gevorg Nersisyan and his son Hambardzum Nersisyan, the brother and nephew of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, respectively.

Lawyer Yerem Sargsyan told Pastinfo that Gevorg Nersisyan’s custody has been extended by two months, while Hambardzum Nersisyan’s detention has been prolonged by three months.

The two were initially detained after a complaint by a mayoral candidate from the Republic Party, who alleged that the Nersisyans obstructed his election campaign in the Vagharshapat community.

Their lawyer contends that the allegations are baseless and points to video footage as evidence that nothing unlawful occurred during the encounter.