We Have Requested That Bail and House Arrest Be Applied, Says Aram Vardevanyan

Have we presented a request regarding the potential application of alternative preventive measures? Yes, we have. We are in such an absurd situation that the question of bail should not even be on the table. The question of bail is discussed when the condition of the alleged charge is met in the context of a detention request, meaning that there is reasonable suspicion. In this case, we have nothing to do with that, but yes, we are requesting that as a forced measure as well.

This was stated by lawyer Aram Vardevanyan during a press conference of Samvel Karapetyan's legal team. “Moreover, we have requested that even alternative preventive measures be applied in combination. Of course, Samvel Karapetyan himself had a clear stance against submitting such a request. As defenders, we had submitted the option of house arrest, combined with a ban on leaving the country under bail. And to give you an idea, the only risk that the court recorded is the risk of obstruction. The risk of obstruction cannot be kept in check in conditions of combined house arrest and bail; can you imagine that? The court has tried to substantiate this risk based on the influence on individuals who are not in Armenia,” he noted. Vardevanyan also stated that it is difficult to envision all of this in a rational reality.