Court rejects request for Armenian archbishop's renewed detention

A court in Armenia’s Armavir Province on Tuesday denied a prosecutor's request to remand Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan in custody, ruling that his current preventive measure of administrative supervision remains sufficient.

At a hearing in the Armavir Court of General Jurisdiction, prosecutor Alisa Boyajyan contended that the existing measure failed to mitigate risks to the integrity of the proceedings. She argued that, if left at liberty, Khachatryan could exert influence over witnesses, distort testimony, or take steps to destroy or falsify evidence.

“The defendant’s presence outside detention creates a substantial likelihood of interference with witnesses and evidentiary processes,” Boyajyan said, urging the court to impose pre-trial detention.

Attorney Arsen Babayan rejected the motion as politically driven, characterizing the case as an instance of “extreme political persecution”.

Khachatryan, addressing the court, denied all allegations and stated he had neither committed any wrongdoing nor undertaken actions requiring concealment or destruction of evidence. He also challenged the prosecution’s portrayal of his influence and public standing as grounds for detention.

Judge Artur Adamyan ruled to uphold the existing administrative supervision, denying the prosecution’s motion.

Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan stands accused of planting drugs on people protesting against Catholicos Karekin II in 2018.