Armenia acting PM surprised by ruling on retired General Manvel Grigoryan’s release

News.am, Armenia
Dec 22 2018
Armenia acting PM surprised by ruling on retired General Manvel Grigoryan’s release Armenia acting PM surprised by ruling on retired General Manvel Grigoryan’s release

14:48, 22.12.2018

Armenia’s Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan does not know on what grounds the court has released MP and Yerkrapah (Defender of the Land) Volunteer Union Board ex-Chairman, retired General Manvel Grigoryan, on bail.

Speaking with reporters in Vanadzor, Pashinyan said he understands the dissatisfaction of the people who are protesting against the court decision on releasing Grigoryan from custody.

“I don’t know on what grounds the court made that decision,” the acting PM said. “When that decision will be available, I will get familiarized [with it], but, again, I will not express a view.”

Pashinyan added that staging protests is people’s right.

Nikol Pashinyan noted, however, that the court decision was a surprise to him. In his words, nonetheless, this yet again shows that he does not interfere in the independence of the courts.

Armenia’s acting PM said the important thing is that the criminal investigation be completed soon and the trial begins—with all the consequences coming from it.

On late Friday evening, the capital city Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction released Manvel Grigoryan from custody on an AMD 25mn (approx. US$51,600) bail.

Grigoryan was arrested on June 19. He is charged with unlawfully keeping weapons and ammunition, and committing large-scale embezzlement. In particular, it is about the embezzlement of the aid that was sent during the days of the four-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), in April 2016. 

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