Court Denies Yuri Khachaturov's Request to Travel to Georgia

The court has denied the request of Yuri Khachaturov, a defendant in the March 1 case, to cross the Armenian border.

During today’s hearing, Khachaturov's attorney, Mihran Poghosyan, presented their petition to the court, asking for permission for Khachaturov to leave Armenia for two days to travel to Georgia, his birthplace.

According to the attorney, the Georgian authorities will lift restrictions starting from August 1, and there is a possibility that Khachaturov could travel to Georgia after August 1 without being subject to mandatory isolation rules.

“Mr. Khachaturov’s absence from Armenia will not postpone any court hearings; he is only going to be absent for two days, and his phone will be reachable,” the lawyer stated.

Judge Anna Danibekyan noted that currently, only the existing protocol is known, which stipulates that all individuals arriving in Armenia must self-isolate for 14 days. The same may apply to traveling to Georgia. This means that a situation could arise where Khachaturov’s absence might extend to nearly a month, resulting in court hearings being postponed.

“Therefore, the court does not find it appropriate at this time to permit Yuri Khachaturov to leave the Republic of Armenia,” Danibekyan concluded.