Immunity lifted: Armenian opposition MP to face prosecution over alleged coup plot

The Armenian Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Artur Sargsyan, a member of the opposition faction "Armenia," Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The motion, submitted by the Prosecutor General, was approved unanimously by 62 MPs, with no votes against. The opposition did not participate in the vote.

Sargsyan faces criminal prosecution in connection with an investigation into an alleged attempt at a "violent seizure of power and preparation of a terrorist act." Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan has already been arrested as part of the same case.

Following the opening of the criminal proceedings, the Prosecutor’s Office is expected to submit a request to detain Sarkisyan.

The move came after Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan presented the request to Parliament on July 7, accusing Sargsyan of supporting the revanchist movement “Holy Struggle.”

On the same day, the Prosecutor’s Office also petitioned to lift the immunity of another MP from the opposition “Armenia” faction, Artsvik Minasyan. He is accused of helping former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan legalise a mansion on the shores of Lake Sevan.

By Khagan Isayev