MP says Serzh Sargsyan trial marked by 'shameful' episodes

The criminal case against former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has been marred by “shameful” episodes that raise legal and moral issues, opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan says, criticizing the handling of the high-profile case.

In a social media post Wednesday, Abrahamyan, who represents the Pativ Unem faction, stated the case involved blatant falsifications, deliberate distortions of facts and "indecent behavior" by those driving the prosecution.

According to Abrahamyan, such practices leave the case with no real prospects. He argued that the true purpose of the proceedings is to exploit the issue for political gain, flooding the public sphere with slander, sustaining an artificial agenda and keeping some individuals under constant pressure.

“This is not an expression of surprise, but a recording of facts,” Abrahamyan wrote, adding that some of those involved would be held accountable in the future.

Serzh Sargsyan has been charged with bribery during his time in office. He has rejected the charges as politically motivated.