Michael Ajapahyan Detained on Remand

During the investigation of a criminal case conducted by the Department for the Investigation of Electoral Crimes, substantial evidence has been gathered indicating that Michael Ajapahyan, in an interview with one of the media outlets, claimed to have repeatedly suggested to the former Presidents of Armenia, through like-minded generals in the army, police, and national security, to carry out a military coup.

Thus, M.A. has made public calls aiming to seize power and violently overthrow the constitutional order by using mass media.

A public criminal prosecution has been initiated against M.A. under the second part of Article 422 of the Criminal Code (public calls for the violent seizure of power, violation of territorial integrity, abandonment of sovereignty, or violent overthrow of the constitutional order). Remand detention has been applied as a preventive measure against M.A.

The criminal proceedings regarding M.A. have been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a request for approval of the indictment and for further submission to the court for substantive examination.