Judge Tigran Sahakyan of Armenia’s Court of Criminal Appeals has been officially relieved of his duties as the court chair and member after turning 65.

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), a state body overseeing Armenian courts, made a decision on his dismissal on Monday, July 18.

Under the domestic law, judges retire at age of 65 in Armenia.

Human rights activist Ruben Melikyan said he was among the judges "behind political repressions against oppositionists" after agreeing to take over the appellate court 10 months ago”.