Armenian judge recuses himself from case against opposition politician

A judge presiding over the case of opposition politician Khachik Galstyan has stepped aside due to a family connection with one of the defendants, Galstyan’s lawyer said on Friday.

Judge Vardges Sargsyan recused himself from the proceedings, citing a relative’s involvement in the case. The trial has now been reassigned to judge Vardges Stepanyan.

Galstyan, a political analyst and secretary-general of the opposition Homeland Party, is accused of distributing bribes to voters during snap elections in Vagharshapat on November 16, 2025. He was arrested on December 30 and later placed under house arrest in February.

Attorney Arsen Babayan welcomed the reassignment, saying Stepanyan had shown “objectivity” in past hearings and expressed confidence that Galstyan would ultimately be acquitted.

No date has yet been set for the first hearing.