YEREVAN. – The extension of Hrachya Harutyunyan’s arrest for two more months was unexpected for his family members, his daughter Lilit told Armenian News-NEWS.am.   

She noted that Harutyunyan’s attorney had informed them that Hrachya’s detention period will be extended, and he said the trial must be awaited. But it is yet unknown as to when the trial will take place.   

“They probably thought that he will escape; that is why they extended the detention period,” Lilit said. 

She added that had it been possible to commute his father’s restraint order, the attorney would certainly have done that.    

Hrachya Harutyunyan’s family members hope to see him back in Armenia in six months, or in one year.  

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, a truck crashed into a passenger bus on July 13 outside Moscow, and it was found out that the truck driver was an Armenian citizen by the name of Hrachya Harutyunyan. The impact of the crash was so powerful that the bus had split in two. The accident claimed 18 lives and injured more than 60 people. The court had Harutyunyan arrested on July 15, and until September 13. In addition, he was brought to the courtroom with slippers and a women’s robe. This fact caused widespread discontent among the Armenian public, and protests were staged across the Russian Embassy in Armenia.  

On Thursday, the court extended Harutyunyan’s detention until December 14.              

To note, Harutyunyan had gone to Russia to earn money in order to have a tombstone built for his son who has died.