Court petition filed to extend detention of Archbishop Arshak

A petition has been submitted to the court to extend the detention of Archbishop Arshak, the Archbishop’s lawyer, Arsen Babayan, reported.

He noted that the petition will be considered in a closed court session by February 3.

Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, was arrested on December 5 and is currently held at the “Yerevan-Kentron” penitentiary. 

The detention was ordered by Judge Masis Melkonyan. The previous day, December 4, the National Security Service arrested Archbishop Arshak at the Investigative Committee building.

He faces charges under Article 393, Part 2, Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal sale of drugs by a group of persons with prior consent in a public place.

“During the preliminary investigation, public criminal prosecution has been initiated against him under the same article,” the Investigative Committee told Aysor.am.

Visits to the Archbishop are currently restricted; only close relatives and his lawyer are allowed to meet with him.