A Defense Team Formed for Serzh Sargsyan Led by Two Former Ministers

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports: "Recently, media outlets have reported that on February 1, Serzh Sargsyan was summoned to the Special Investigative Service (SIS) for questioning regarding the March 1 case, and that he was questioned for several hours. However, it appears that this was not Serzh Sargsyan's first questioning; he had been summoned to the SIS before.

Moreover, we learned that he also visited the SIS yesterday and stayed there for quite a long time. Although the SIS declined to respond to our inquiry, stating that they do not comment on this issue.

Former ministers Davit Harutyunyan and Arpine Hovhannisyan, who have engaged in human rights advocacy after the change of power, are leading Sargsyan's defense team. Davit Harutyunyan has co-founded a legal consulting firm with Arpine Hovhannisyan. We found out that the day before, Sargsyan's "defense" team gathered at the Republican Party office and held a lengthy discussion with him. Other lawyers and attorneys were also present.

In response to our inquiry yesterday, Davit Harutyunyan briefly denied that they are involved in Sargsyan's defense. "No, I will not answer that question. I have no comment at all regarding whether Serzh Sargsyan has been summoned for questioning or not. Your information is incorrect," said Mr. Harutyunyan.

When asked if there was a discussion regarding Serzh Sargsyan at the Republican Party office the day before, Harutyunyan replied, "I had discussions on different matters."