Advocate reports on deterioration of Vagan Shirkhanyan's health

Vagan Shirkhanyan, the former First Deputy Defence Minister of Armenia, arrested on suspicion of involvement in an armed grouping led by Arthur Vardanyan, needs medical treatment, since the aggravated health problems threaten his life. This was reported by his advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 19, 2015, Vagan Shirkhanyan, who served as the First Deputy Defence Minister of Armenia in 1995-1999, was detained as a suspect in the resonant case of the armed grouping led by Arthur Vardanyan, the head of the organization "Armenian Shield". In March, the arrested man underwent surgery on his leg. The court refused to release Vagan Shirkhanyan on bail.

The defence is preparing a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), advocate Hayk Alumyan notes. According to him, during the detention in custody, the former First Deputy Defence Minister faced deterioration of his deceases; meanwhile, the acquired health problems pose the threat to his life, the "News.am" reports.

According to investigators, the Arthur Vardanyan's grouping was plotting attacks on public officers in Armenia. Moreover, they were planning to attack the president's residence.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.