Essential Questions Excluded from Examination, Says Tonoyan's Defense

The preliminary investigation body has so far prevented former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan from meeting or having phone conversations while in investigative detention. This was reported to Sputnik Armenia by lawyer Sergey Hovhannisyan.

These restrictions also extend to Tonoyan's friends and relatives. The lawyer emphasized that the limitations have been in place since the early stages of the investigation. The defense team did not appeal this decision to avoid it being interpreted as an obstruction to the investigation. This issue was also discussed with Davit Tonoyan, and he agreed with it as well.

It was previously reported that the National Security Service of Armenia has also suspended expert examinations in the criminal case against Tonoyan. The examinations of the goods related to ammunition and explosive technology, which became the cause for criminal prosecution, have been halted.

The defense team highlighted that the examination concerning the usability of the missiles had been scheduled for July; however, this decision has remained unacted, and the reason for this is unknown to them. “We have submitted a request to the investigator for clarification to understand what significant evidence was the basis for such a decision. We have not received a response yet,” Hovhannisyan noted, adding that they demand a complete examination.

He pointed out that the most critical questions have been excluded from the examination, and only technical issues were included. Earlier, the defense team had also submitted a request to participate in the examination along with Davit Tonoyan.

Speaking about the precautionary measure, Hovhannisyan mentioned that they received a baseless decision from the Court of Appeal, which they will contest in the Court of Cassation. The lawyer emphasized that there are also several actions taken by the prosecuting body that have been challenged.