ZHANGIRIAN KEPT UNDER ILLEGAL CUSTODY

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Armenia’s Deputy Prosecutor General Gagik Zhahangirian has been illegally detained since August 22. The term of Gagik Zhangirian’s restraint, has already expired but the latter is still kept in custody in the Vardashen Penitentiary Institution.

The pre-trial hearing of the legal proceedings against Zhangirian was held on August 22, and the date for the trial /September 1/ has been set with a rough breach of law, says Lusine Sahakian, Advocate of Gagik Zhangirian.

After the preliminary hearing the case was forwarded to the Court of First Instance of Kentron and Nork-Marash districts.

Justice Dzora Vardanian has set the court-sitting on September 1, but, according to the advocates, it is a gross violation of the Criminal Code.

Zhangirian’s advocates have disputed Dzora Vardanian’s decision at the Appellate Court. They say Zhangirian should be released as early as possible. They have also appealed to the penitentiary administration.

Before appealing the court verdict, the advocates had filed a petition on the restraint to the Court of First Instance but the latter turned it down.

Lusine Sahakian says Zhora Vardanian had no right to preside over the court sitting as his son, Arshak Vardanian, is a member of the investigation group. Therefore, the advocates are going to ask for the judge’s rejection on September 1.

Reminder, Gagik Zhahangirian is charged under Article 316 /violence against a government official/.