The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday rejected a request submitted by the legal team of jailed former Armenian official Gagik Khachatryan for an interim measure under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, Armenpress reports

Khachatryan had applied to the ECHR, asking the Court to oblige the Government of Armenia to lift the pretrial detention measure imposed on him and not restrict his liberty in any way, stop the practice of transporting him on a stretcher, ensure the effective exercise of his right to receive medical care, lift the travel ban imposed on him, and allow him to travel to Germany for medical treatment.

In response to an inquiry from Armenpress, the Office of the Representative of the Republic of Armenia on International Legal Matters said that the ECHR had communicated the request to the Government of Armenia, referring relevant questions to the parties and giving them an opportunity to present their positions.

“After receiving the responses submitted by the Office of the Representative on International Legal Matters and the applicant, the ECHR decided to fully reject Gagik Khachatryan’s request for an interim measure. Thus, within the framework of Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, the ECHR did not see a need to apply an interim measure concerning the requests submitted,” the Office emphasized.

Khachatryan, 71, served as chairman of the State Revenue Committee, from 2008 to 2014, and as finance minister, from 2014 to 2016, under then-President Serzh Sargsyan.

Gagik Khachatryan is accused of taking a particularly large bribe and money laundering. As part of the respective criminal case, investigative and procedural actions were carried out in the homes of Khachatryan and his son, as well as in the offices and branches of about 21 companies affiliated with them.

On September 1, Gagik Khachatryan was arrested and transferred to the Investigative Committee of Armenia. And on September 2, he was placed under pretrial detention for two months.