Armenia extends detention of diplomat accused of treason

The detention of former Armenian Foreign Ministry employee Ashkhen Aleksanyan has been extended, her lawyer Tavros Gevorgyan said.

Aleksanyan, who is accused of treason, will remain in custody for an additional 50 days. Now her detention is set to last until January 30, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The court issued the decision on December 2, with the new detention period taking effect from December 10.

Aleksanyan’s detention was first reported on August 29. She is accused of allegedly spying for Azerbaijan. On the same day, the Investigative Committee confirmed that a criminal case for high treason had been initiated against her in June.

In early October, Aleksanyan denied her guilt in the treason case. Her lawyers, Abgar Poghosyan and Tavros Gevorgyan, confirmed that they had appealed her arrest to a higher court.  

By Khagan Isayev