Gurgen Khachatryan Arrested as Court Approves NSS Investigator's Request

The Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan's Nor Nork and Avan districts, presided over by Judge Vahe Misakyan, has accepted the request to detain Gurgen Khachatryan, son of former State Revenue Committee chairman Gagik Khachatryan, co-founder of the "Galaxy" group of companies, and chairman of the Board of Directors of Ucom.

After the hearing, lawyer Yerem Sargsyan told reporters that everyone would have been surprised if the court had not approved the request. "From the beginning, I wouldn't have even thought that such a thing could happen. The processes that occurred after Gurgen Khachatryan's statement made detention inevitable. Especially considering the developments that took place. We have very unique coincidences related to the selection of courts. Specifically, all requests related to Gagik Khachatryan were essentially examined by one judge at the Shengavit court. When it happened that this judge was on vacation, a request to extend Gagik Khachatryan's detention was submitted, and the consideration was transferred to this court, being assigned to the same judge who was examining Gurgen Khachatryan's detention request. I see a direct intention from the court president regarding the question of judge assignment," Sargsyan stated.

It should be noted that a search was conducted yesterday at the home of the new director of Ucom Ara Khachatryan and in the company's office, which, according to the Khachatryans' defenders, used to be the office of the former director Hayk Yesayan.

On April 28, Gurgen Khachatryan stated that a direct and indirect demand had been made from high-ranking officials in the country to alienate Ucom. "In recent days, a direct request has been made to alienate Ucom, and if I do not agree, it has been clearly stated that I will be accused of committing a particularly serious crime and detained, which will be followed by similar actions against my brother, other family members, relatives, close friends, and other individuals associated with us," Khachatryan declared.

The Khachatryan legal team has stated that Gurgen Khachatryan has been charged with money laundering and assisting in bribery.