Court Denies Armen Gevorgyan's Request to Attend PACE Session

The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, presided over by Judge Anna Danibekyan, dismissed the request from Armen Gevorgyan, the former Deputy Prime Minister, to attend the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.

Some members of the parliament are expected to participate in the session online, while several representatives will travel to Strasbourg. According to Gevorgyan, representatives of the opposition must be among those who attend in person.

“There is a report on Armenia during this PACE session, and the presence of an opposition representative is mandatory,” Gevorgyan stated.

In response, Judge Danibekyan announced that the defense had not proven that Gevorgyan could not participate in the session online. Additionally, there is a court session scheduled for Gevorgyan’s case during the same period (on January 25).

“Taking that into account, the court believes that Gevorgyan has not justified the validity of his absence. The documents submitted indicate that it is also possible to participate in the event online,” Danibekyan noted, rejecting the defense's request.

Previously, Gevorgyan's lawyer had submitted a request to the court to allow the former Deputy Prime Minister to leave Armenia and participate in the PACE session. Danibekyan had postponed the examination of the request until specific deadlines were clarified.

It is worth mentioning that former President Robert Kocharian and former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan are facing criminal charges. Kocharian is accused of receiving large-scale bribes, while Gevorgyan is charged with money laundering.