Opposition politician Armen Ashotyan's detention extended

A court in Armenia has extended the detention of Armen Ashotyan, deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia, for another month, his lawyer said on Friday.

Attorney Ruben Melikyan told reporters the defense plans to appeal the ruling once the official decision is received. He insisted Ashotyan's prosecution is politically motivated.

Ashotyan, a former education minister, was first arrested on June 5, when Armenia’s Investigative Committee announced the detention of seven individuals, including the opposition figure, on charges of abuse of office and money laundering. He was initially ordered held for one month.