Gagik Khachatryan Transferred to Court on a Stretcher Again: Lawyer Talks About Deteriorating Health

Former head of the State Revenue Committee and ex-Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryan has been transferred to court on a stretcher again, where a motion for his arrest is being considered. This was announced by his lawyer, Yerem Sargsyan, during a conversation with journalists.

According to the defender, Khachatryan's health condition has deteriorated during this time, and the situation of transferring him to court was almost the same as in June. "I assure you, it is almost the same picture, even the same people, the same method. In other words, nothing has changed. He was again brought with great difficulty, on a stretcher," Sargsyan said.

The lawyer recalled that in June, Khachatryan was also brought to court on a stretcher. At that time, two judges had rejected the arrest motions, noting that keeping a person in custody in such a health condition could be grounds for torture.

Sargsyan asserted that the former minister has the ability to move independently; however, any movement becomes extremely painful during an exacerbation of his illness. "There is an implant in his spine that has shifted, and any movement causes sharp pains. During this time, his condition has gradually worsened. In addition to the main illness, he has shoulder joint tears, and all of this requires surgical intervention," the lawyer stated.

It is noteworthy that on September 1, Gagik Khachatryan was arrested, and the Investigative Committee submitted a motion for his arrest to the court. According to the Investigative Committee, investigative and procedural actions have been carried out in connection with criminal proceedings initiated over particularly large-scale bribery and money laundering against Khachatryan, his son's residences, and around 21 companies connected to them.