YEREVAN. – The court hearing on the criminal case against Gagik Khachatryan, former Minister of Finance and ex-Chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Armenia, and against his nephew Karen Khachatryan, former head of the SRC Internal Security Department, has adjourned Monday.

Gagik Khachatryan was not in the courtroom. He had submitted a notification to the court stating that he had health problems and could not appear in court. Khachatryan had asked the court to reschedule this session.

The next court hearing was scheduled for September 30.

Also, the court announced that it would send an inquiry to the penitentiary to find out about Gagik Khachatryan's health condition.

At the preliminary hearing, the court had denied the defense’s motion to commute the pretrial arrest of the two defendants.

Gagik Khachatryan has been charged under the Criminal Code articles on abuse of power, embezzlement or squandering, taking bribe, and official fraud.

And his nephew Karen Khachatryan, former head of the SRC Internal Security Department,  has been charged under the Criminal Code articles on embezzlement or squandering, and official fraud.

Both, however, do not accept the charges that have been brought against them.

They are under arrest.