Former chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee arrested VIDEO

A court has ordered former Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee Gagik Khachatryan to be held in pre-trial detention for two months, Armenia Today reports, citing the Investigative Committee.

Khachatryan, 71, was detained on September 1 following searches conducted as part of a case involving alleged particularly large-scale bribery and money laundering.

He was brought to court on a stretcher.

According to his lawyers, Khachatryan is not receiving adequate medical care. They claim that over the past three months, he has twice been taken on a stretcher in a semi-conscious state to participate in investigative proceedings.

Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan has launched a review following the publication of a video showing Khachatryan. Representatives of her office are visiting the penitentiary facility to hold a confidential meeting with the former revenue committee chief and examine the circumstances surrounding the protection of his rights.

The ombudsman has also requested explanations from the relevant authorities. An official position will be presented after the responses are received.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov