In Armenia, court leaves satirist Vardan Petrosyan in custody

On May 20, in Armenia, the court of general jurisdiction of the Kotaik Region dismissed the motion filed by the defence of Vardan Petrosyan, a famous actor and satirist, to change the pre-trial restriction measure and to release him from custody. Advocates intend to challenge the court's decision at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 9, 2013, well-known actor Vardan Petrosyan was arrested. He was charged with committing a road traffic accident because of his negligence, which caused casualties. As a result of the road traffic accident, two 16-year-old teenagers died.

The pre-trial restriction measure in the form of arrest against Vardan Petrosyan is unlawful, and the ECtHR is to condemn it. This was stated by Marie Dose, an advocate of Vardan Petrosyan, at the press conference held on May 21. The advocate believes that the detention of Vardan Petrosyan in custody violates the presumption of innocence and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed by Armenia.

According to Marie Dose, there are no reasons and evidence that Vardan Petrosyan may hide from investigators. "Vardan Petrosyan is a citizen of two states: Armenia and France, and he voluntarily surrendered his both passports to the investigating authorities," Marie Dose has noted.

Let us remind you that after the road traffic accident, Vardan Petrosyan received medical treatment in the hospital for convicts, and later, he was transferred to a ward of the penitentiary institution "Nubarashen". However, the defence of Vardan Petrosyan reports on the serious problems related to the actor's health state.