What Stage is the Case of Agvan Hovsepyan?

In the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan, presided over by Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan, an urgent session has commenced regarding the case of former Prosecutor General and former Head of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, Agvan Hovsepyan. This session was convened to discuss the issue of changing the measure of restraint for Hovsepyan due to his health condition.

According to a report by Factinfo's correspondent, defense attorney Erik Aleksanyan submitted a motion to replace the chosen measure of restraint of pre-trial detention with bail, noting that all prerequisites for changing the measure of restraint are present. The lawyer presented medical documents outlining Hovsepyan's existing health issues, which include type 2 diabetes, a condition that is clearly incompatible with detention.

The defense emphasized that Hovsepyan's health has deteriorated while being held in the Yerevan-Kentron Penitentiary Institution, and adequate medical care cannot be provided under detention conditions. The attorney also referred to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights which states that no one should be subjected to torture or inhumane treatment, characterizing the failure to release Hovsepyan, given his health conditions, as torture.

In the context of replacing the detention with bail, the defense argued that the case is currently undergoing judicial examination, and the court is not restricted from considering the risk of obstructing the case. During pre-trial proceedings, multiple testimonies were provided by witnesses.

Additionally, the attorney drew attention to the duration of Hovsepyan's detention, noting that he has been in custody for nine months. The duration of detention is a significant factor in establishing a balance, and the continuous detention of an individual should be periodically reviewed by the judiciary.

The only basis cited by the courts for detention has been the potential risk of obstructing the trial; however, at this stage of the proceedings, that risk has significantly diminished. Furthermore, having previously held high office should not be a sufficient basis for restricting a person's right to freedom, nor should their connections or reputation be interpreted negatively.

Aleksanyan emphasized that the law enforcement system has changed since the revolution, therefore, previous office holders cannot be considered a threat to influence the proceedings. He pointed out that the prosecutors in this case were appointed by Hovsepyan himself, yet there is no constraint present.

The defense requested that bail be applied to Hovsepyan, leaving the amount to the discretion of the court, while also noting that they are prepared to pay bail starting from 80 million AMD.

Aleksanyan also drew parallels with the case of National Assembly member Armen Charjyan from the