Judge Karen Farkhoyan to examine petition on extending Archbishop Arshak’s detention

Judge Karen Farkhoyan will examine the petition to extend the detention of Archbishop Arshak, lawyer Arsen Babayan has announced.

“After circulating among three different court venues in Yerevan, the petition to extend Archbishop Arshak’s detention has finally found its ‘judge of choice’ – Karen Farkhoyan,” Babayan stated. 

The hearing on the detention extension will take place on Monday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m., at the Kentron residence of the court.

Babayan noted that he had expected the petition to be reviewed by Judge Masis Melkonyan; however, the latter is currently out of the country.

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.