Armenian judge does not allow retired general to have medical examination in France

YEREVAN, January 21. /ARKA/. A first instance court judge in Yerevan Mnatsakan Martirosyan turned down today a request of retired General Manvel Grigoryan's lawyers, seeking a permission for their client to travel to France for a medical examination and treatment.

On January 15, Mnatsakan Martirosyan agreed to release Manvel Grigoryan from custody because of serious deterioration of his health condition.. The retired general is facing a string of criminal charges. The release was sought by the trial prosecutors. Grigoryan signed a written promise not to leave the country pending his trial.

According to the judge, Manvel Grigoryan was released to get treatment in Armenia. He said the General's lawyers did not provide sufficient justification for the need for a new medical examination in France.

Earlier, a Grigoryan's lawyer Levon Baghdasaryan said all the costs of the treatment in France would be covered by Grigoryan's relatives.  He said for more than 20 years, French doctors have been treating his diabetes.

The defense also submitted to the court a letter from one of the professors of the French hospital stating that Grigoryan needed treatment in France because of the diabetes, heart and respiratory failures. The lawyer's request was opposed by prosecutor Vahe Dolmazyan, who said there was no  factual evidence that Manvel Grigoryan could not  receive the necessary medical treatment  in Armenia. He said the retired General could undergo additional examination or treatment at any local medical facility for free.

Grigoryan, who had served as Armenia’s deputy defense minister from 2000-2008, and was also a parliament member is accused of illegal arms possession, embezzlement, extortion and tax evasion. He was  arrested in June 2018  after security forces raided his homes in Etchmiadzin and a nearby village finding illegally acquired weapons and stockpiles of food and other supplies, including anti-tank guns and rocket-propelled grenades, meant for the armed forces. They also discovered canned food and several vehicles donated by Armenians to the armed forces.

A suspect or accused of an alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to a court order that  enters into legal force in the manner established by the Code of Criminal Procedure. -0-