The court hearing on the case of former MP Manvel Grigoryan and his wife Nazik Amiryan has begun at the residence of the Kentron District Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan, presided by Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan.

Manvel Grigoryan is not present at the hearing because he did not feel well.

The defenders again petitioned for a change of Grigoryan’s measure of restraint.

According to advocate Levon Baghdasaryan, there is no necessary and sufficient evidence to detain a former MP and suggested to chose bail as measure of a restraint.

“We offer a market price of 1 billion 670 million 900 thousand AMD, 1 billion 336 million 760 thousand AMD liquidation value of 25 units of real estate, which are not subject to foreclosure and which neutralize the court’s previous position that Grigoryan will not be released as he will not show proper behavior in liberty. And in case of such behavior the pledged property will be considered as state property,” Baghdasaryan said.

Prosecutor Vahe Dolmazyan noted that the property was not owned by Manvel Grigoryan and the documents did not state who owned the property.

“All property owned by Manvel Grigoryan is under arrest. I need time to express my position,” the prosecutor said.

The hearing was adjourned and scheduled for 24 December.

The court hearing continues.

Notably, MP Manvel Grigoryan was arrested and detained on suspicion of committing a crime under Article 235 (part 2) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (Illegal procurement and possession of weapons and ammunition by a group of persons). The RA NA Speaker was immediately informed about deprivation of the MP of his liberty in the manner provided by Article 96 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

Note: A person that is suspected or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent until his/her guilt is proved by a court judgment that has come into legal effect pursuant to the procedure determined by RA Criminal Procedure Code.