MP decries court decision to extend detention of opposition activists

An Armenian court on Friday extended the pretrial detention of opposition activists and podcasters Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan by three months, a move condemned by an opposition lawmaker who said authorities are using detention as a form of punishment.

Pativ Unem faction MP Tigran Abrahamyan said in a social media post the court ignored defense arguments that he claimed exposed the hollowness of the case and justified changing the measure of restraint. 

Samsonyan and Saghatelyan, co-hosts of the Imnemnimi podcast, were detained on hooliganism charges in mid-November. Human rights advocates and experts have widely rejected the charges as politically motivated.

“Obviously, the authorities seek to use detention as punishment and keep Narek and Vazgen behind bars for as long as possible,” Abrahamyan wrote.

He described the case as emblematic of authoritarian practices, accusing political leaders and the judiciary of acting in concert.