Robert Kocharyan to Remain in Custody

The Court of Appeals rejected a motion from the defense challenging the initial court's decision to deem the application of bail as inadmissible for Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan.

On December 16, Kocharyan's attorney, Aram Vardevanyan, filed a request for the recusal of Judge Lusine Abgaryan. The basis for this recusal, according to the defense, stemmed from information circulated in the media regarding the judge's brother, Davit Abgaryan. Notably, Davit Abgaryan liked and shared a post by singer Serj Tankian, in which Tankian expressed his satisfaction regarding Kocharyan's arrest, and Lusine Abgaryan also liked that post on her page. The judge did not declare a recusal during the previous court session.

It is worth reminding that Robert Kocharyan is accused of overthrowing the constitutional order in connection with the March 1, 2008 criminal case.