Armenian court jails teen over attempt to strike prime minister

An 18-year-old student who attempted to strike Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan following a church service in Yerevan has been remanded in custody for two months, authorities said.

Davit Minasyan was detained after the March 29 incident at Saint Anna Church. A court ordered his pre-trial detention, while his brother, Mikayel Minasyan, was released on March 31 under a travel ban, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

A third suspect, public figure Gevorg Gevorgyan, was also released pending trial after posting bail of 5 million drams (approximately $12,000).

Minasyan’s lawyer, Armen Melkonyan, said the defence plans to appeal the detention order, describing the decision to remand the final-year school student in custody as excessive.

According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, Davit Minasyan faces charges of hooliganism and interfering with the lawful official or political activities of a public official.

His brother has been charged with aiding those offences, while Gevorgyan is accused of organising hooliganism and organising interference in the lawful activities of an official.

By Sabina Mammadli