Armenian court rejects bid to dismiss case against former president Sargsyan

A court in Armenia has refused to close a criminal case against former President Serzh Sargsyan, despite a defence request to dismiss the proceedings.

Sargsyan’s lawyer, Amram Makinyan, had argued that the case should be thrown out because evidence had been obtained unlawfully, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Judge Aram Grigoryan rejected the motion, allowing the case to continue.

Notably, Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia’s third president, held office from 2008 to 2018. A long-time figure in the ruling Republican Party, he previously served as defence and national security chief before rising to the presidency. 

His decade in power was marked by close ties with Russia and widespread criticism over corruption and democratic backsliding.

Sargsyan stepped down in April 2018 following mass protests against his bid to extend his rule by assuming the newly empowered post of prime minister. The demonstrations, known as the “Velvet Revolution,” brought Nikol Pashinyan to power.

Since leaving office, Sargsyan has faced several investigations. The most prominent case accuses him of embezzlement linked to a government scheme for subsidised fuel imports in 2013, in which prosecutors allege millions of dollars in state funds were misused.

He has denied all charges, calling them politically motivated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev