State Secrets Case: Investigation Concludes for Former Armenian MP Aregnaz Manukyan

The preliminary investigation of the criminal case against Armenian opposition figure and former Member of Parliament Aregnaz Manukyan has been completed. She is currently being transferred to the Investigative Committee of Armenia—the state's primary investigative body—where the official conclusion of this phase will be announced.

"Aregnaz Manukyan will be transferred from the penitentiary to the Investigative Committee today," her lawyer, Tatevik Soghoyan, told Azatutyun (RFE/RL's Armenian Service).

Charges and Strict Custodial Restrictions

The 46-year-old politician was arrested on July 9. She has been charged with the unauthorized disclosure of information constituting state secrets, an accusation Manukyan vehemently denies.

Judge Manvel Shahverdyan of the Court of First Instance, who initially ordered her pre-trial detention, has imposed exceptionally strict communication restrictions on the former lawmaker.

• All forms of contact with relatives are strictly prohibited.
• This communication ban controversially extends even to her mother and minor daughter.

Defense Raises Concerns Over Due Process

For approximately a month, Manukyan's defense team has been attempting to appeal the detention order at the Court of Appeal. However, the scheduled court hearings have faced continuous postponements.

Lawyer Tatevik Soghoyan has expressed serious concerns regarding these procedural delays. She suggested that the hearings might be intentionally postponed so that, following the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the authority to rule on her ongoing pre-trial detention will revert to the very same first-instance judge who is handling the main case.