Prosecutor's Office to Appeal Decision to Release Ruben Mkrtchyan and Vardan Ghukasyan's Grandson from Arrest

The decisions of the Court of Appeals that lifted the arrest of lawyer Ruben Mkrtchyan and Vardan Ghukasyan's brother's grandson, Narek Ghukasyan, will be appealed to the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor's Office has informed Factinfo.

Recall that Vardan Ghukasyan, the Mayor of Gyumri, was arrested on October 20 at the city hall, where several hours of investigative actions had taken place. The situation in Gyumri was tense, with citizens gathering near the city hall to support him.

Law enforcement officers had conducted arrests among Ghukasyan's supporters and initiated criminal proceedings on the grounds of obstructing the administration of justice and characteristics of disorder. Meanwhile, no proceedings had been initiated regarding the police's hooligan behavior.

Masked police had used violence against citizens and damaged property of the city hall by breaking a door; however, an investigation into these incidents had not commenced. Criminal prosecution had been initiated against 41 individuals in the case, 15 of whom had been arrested, including lawyer Ruben Mkrtchyan.