Yerevan court rejects bid to dismiss case against Archbishop Galstanyan

A court in Yerevan has rejected a motion to dismiss the criminal case against Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and 17 members of the Holy Struggle movement.

The defence had requested the case be dropped, but Judge Karen Farkhuyan ruled that the evidence has not yet been fully examined, and therefore, the case would proceed, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

The hearing is currently ongoing behind closed doors, with the court discussing the health condition of one of the defendants, Agvan Arshakyan.

The group is facing serious charges, including preparing a terrorist attack and attempting to seize power. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the Holy Struggle movement, and his supporters were arrested in late June. At the time of their arrest, the Armenian Investigative Committee announced that it had thwarted an alleged attempt to seize power by force. On August 21, Galstanyan's detention was extended for another three months.

By Sabina Mammadli