This is my personal stance, which I discussed with my political team: Sisak Gabrielyan

I have known Arsen Babayan since my years as a journalist, I recognize his type and believe that at this stage, and this is also the position of the political team, the use of detention as a measure of restraint should be applied in exceptional cases. This was stated today, on November 12, during a conversation with reporters at the National Assembly by Sisak Gabrielyan, a member of the ‘My Step’ faction, referring to the fact that he, together with the president of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia Avetik Ishkhanyan, has provided a guarantee that the measure of restraint for the former deputy head of the National Assembly staff, Arsen Babayan, should be changed.

“I have personally applied, provided a personal guarantee, and paid the required amount of 500,000 drams. This morning, I have signed the appropriate guarantee that Arsen Babayan will not evade the pre-trial investigation and will respond to the demands of the law enforcement agencies. I submitted the guarantee yesterday. I was just informed that the prosecutor has granted that motion,” he said.

He also informed that he has had discussions with lawyers. “Naturally, I did not make this decision alone; I discussed it with my political team, and in essence, their position corresponds to the motion I presented. There is no problem here, in my deep conviction; he cannot hinder the case at this stage,” said Sisak Gabrielyan.

When asked why a personal guarantee is not applied in the case of Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan, who is in detention, while it was applied in the case of Arsen Babayan, Sisak Gabrielyan responded that there was a precedent when Robert Kocharyan was released on the personal guarantees of the current and former presidents of Artsakh.

“I personally do not intend to provide a personal guarantee for the release of Robert Kocharyan, as fortunately, I have not had the opportunity to communicate with him, while I know Arsen Babayan, and this is also my personal stance,” he emphasized.

When asked whether, recognizing Arsen Babayan, he thought he could have forged documents, Sisak Gabrielyan replied, “I am saying that I know Arsen Babayan, so I will not respond to that question. Let the law enforcement agencies provide the answer to that question.”

Sisak Gabrielyan also mentioned that he does not consider Arsen Babayan a political prisoner, especially since he is no longer a detainee.

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