Appeal Delayed for Arrested Armenian Opposition Figure Aregnaz Manukyan Amid Rights Concerns

Aregnaz Manukyan was arrested on July 17 and has since been denied any visits or phone calls with her 13-year-old daughter. According to her lawyer, Tatevik Soghoyan, the girl's birthday is on August 19, and her mother hopes to be allowed to congratulate her, at least by phone.

The Psychological Impact on a Minor

Experts report that the strict communication ban has already triggered psychological issues for the child. She is currently working with a specialist, facilitated by the Armenian Human Rights Defender's (Ombudsman) office.

Delays in the Judicial Process

The decision regarding her pre-trial detention was appealed to the Court of Appeals, but case materials were withheld for an extended period, and a judge was not assigned. The situation only shifted after members of the opposition "Mother Armenia" initiative staged a protest outside the Supreme Judicial Council—Armenia's highest judicial oversight body—on August 6. Following the protest, it was revealed that the case had actually been assigned to Judge Marine Melkonyan a day earlier, on August 5.

Despite this, the defense team has yet to receive the formal decision accepting the proceedings and remains unaware of any timeline for a ruling.

"It seems as though there is a direct order to create additional obstacles in defending Aregnaz Manukyan's rights," stated lawyer Tatevik Soghoyan.

Political Context and Alleged Discrimination

Manukyan is accused of leaking state secrets from a closed 2024 National Assembly session and passing the information to fellow opposition figure Andranik Tevanyan. Both individuals were parliamentary candidates on the electoral list of the political faction led by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan during the June 7 elections. The defense highlights several problematic aspects of the prosecution:

• The continued ban on any communication with her minor daughter,
• Unjustified delays in reviewing the case at the Court of Appeals,
• Discriminatory treatment compared to others involved in the same case.

As a prime example of this discrimination, the lawyer points out that Andranik Tevanyan, who is charged under a more severe article of the criminal code, does not face any restrictions on visits or communication.

The Supreme Judicial Council clarified to Radio Liberty (Azatutyun) that the case is highly classified, and all parties will be officially notified only after the written legal procedure is concluded.