Criminal Cases Against Armenian Opposition Figures Tevanyan and Manukyan Head to Court

Law enforcement in Armenia has officially concluded the preliminary investigation into the proceedings against prominent opposition figures Andranik Tevanyan and Aregnaz Manukyan. Representatives of their political faction have confirmed that the case will soon be heard in court.

Espionage Charges and Arrests

On May 21, the Investigative Committee of Armenia—the country's primary investigative body—initiated a criminal case against Andranik Tevanyan on charges of high treason and espionage. According to the prosecution's version of events, he allegedly transferred classified information to a foreign state in exchange for 622 thousand dollars. Following a court decision, Tevanyan was taken into custody on the night of May 24, and his detention period was subsequently extended on July 22.

Aregnaz Manukyan, a former Member of Parliament, was arrested on July 9 and later remanded in custody. Under Part 1 of Article 427 of the Criminal Code, she is suspected of transmitting classified data concerning the Armed Forces—allegedly obtained during a closed parliamentary session—to Tevanyan.

Political Backlash and Defense

The opposition party has strongly condemned the proceedings, dismissing them as politically motivated and illegal. Aram Orbelyan, the defense attorney representing Tevanyan, stated that there was absolutely no legal basis for his client's arrest.

As reported by armeniatoday.am, "the party has labeled the criminal proceedings against Tevanyan and Manukyan as illegal."

Tevanyan has vehemently denied the Investigative Committee's allegations, calling them absurd. He emphasized that he had already resigned from his parliamentary mandate back in 2023. Furthermore, the defense notes that the criminal prosecution only began after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan publicly stated the necessity of opening a case against him.