Armenian opposition MP arrested for two months

Armenian opposition MP Artur Sargsyan, a deputy from the "Armenia" faction of the National Assembly, has been arrested and will remain in pre-trial detention for two months.

The arrest was approved by Judge Artak Karapetyan of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, following a petition submitted by law enforcement authorities, Caliber.Az reports, ciitng Armenian media.

Sargsyan voluntarily appeared at the Investigative Committee the day before his arrest, shortly after the National Assembly voted to lift his parliamentary immunity at the request of the Prosecutor General. Despite his cooperation, he was detained after waiting outside the Investigative Committee building for five hours.

On July 8, Armenia’s parliament voted in favour of allowing Sargsyan’s detention and prosecution. He is facing serious charges, including preparation of terrorism and attempted usurpation of power.

Authorities say the charges are based on evidence obtained during an ongoing investigation, including audio recordings gathered through covert surveillance. A court has approved the prosecution’s request to keep Sargsyan in custody as the investigation continues.

By Sabina Mammadli