Armenian Human Rights Defender Initiates Review Procedure Regarding the Detention of Spayka CEO

The events surrounding the detention of the CEO of Spayka company are under the attention of the Human Rights Defender. This has been reported by the public relations department of the Defender's office.

Following the Defender's decision, a review procedure has been initiated to take legally prescribed steps. An appropriate letter will be addressed to the State Revenue Committee.

A visit will also be made to a correctional facility to meet with Davit Ghazaryan, the CEO of Spayka.

It should be noted that Davit Ghazaryan has been charged under the second part of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia for avoidance of customs duties and taxes amounting to over 7 billion drams.

On April 4, the investigator of the State Revenue Committee submitted a motion to the first-instance court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan to choose detention as a measure of restraint for Davit Ghazaryan.

Ghazaryan held a press conference, stating that the State Revenue Committee has inflated the demanded 7 billion drams to make it look appealing to the public and to ensure public support for the Committee.

He mentioned that the claim of 7 billion drams is fabricated and considers it as persecution by the Committee against Spayka. This morning, the general jurisdiction court of Yerevan has approved the State Revenue Committee’s motion, selecting detention as a measure of restraint for Davit Ghazaryan.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that employees of the company have been holding protests against the decision to detain the CEO for several days now.