Detention Terms Extended for Suspects in Attempted Murder of 'Bottle Melo'

The Court of General Jurisdiction of Kotayk Province has extended the detention terms for the suspects involved in the attempted murder of businessman Melik Manukyan, known as 'Bottle Melo', which occurred on August 2. The defense attorneys have already filed appeals against the decisions in the Court of Appeals.

Lawyer Vahagn Martirosyan, representing defendant Jemsik Martirosyan, and lawyer Georgi Melikyan, representing defendant Petros Elbakyan, informed that no investigative actions, including confrontations, have been conducted involving their clients since the charges were presented.

Georgi Melikyan, representing Petros Elbakyan, stated that he has contested the investigator's inaction with the supervising prosecutor.

As a reminder, the explosion occurred on the Yerevan-Sevan highway on August 2, near a glass container factory owned by Melik Manukyan.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 34-104, Part 2, Clause 6 of the RA Criminal Code for attempted murder in a manner dangerous to many lives, and Article 235, Part 1 for illegal acquisition and possession of weapons and ammunition. Among those detained are Arthur Mkrtchyan, 56, Petros Elbakyan, 53, and Jemsik Martirosyan, 45, all residents of Shirak Province, who deny the charges and refute any connection to the incident.

Businessman Melik Manukyan holds the status of a victim in this case.