A short while ago, former deputy of the Prosperous Armenia Party Abraham Manukyan exited the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction in Shengavit Administrative District and refused to answer journalists’ questions.

Hrant Ananyan, his attorney, informed that Manukyan has serious health problems and doesn’t want to talk.

Ananyan told reporters that the court was examining the motion to arrest Manukyan today. “The court postponed the examination since there are voluminous materials. He was detained, but the court ruled that detention was unlawful. Today he voluntarily showed up for examination of the motion for arrest. The trial is scheduled for tomorrow,” Ananyan informed.

Asked if Manukyan has testified under the case, the attorney said he has testified and stressed that Manukyan doesn’t accept the charge brought against him. Ananyan also said there hasn’t been any confrontation since there is no witness who can say that he or she has received money from Manukyan.

Asked about the investigative and procedural actions, Ananyan said there have been searches, but no evidence significant for the case has been obtained.

Touching upon the fact that there is an alleged case of giving a bribe and assisting in bribery, the attorney said that is just the version of the criminal prosecution bodies.

Manukyan is charged under part 2 of Articles 38-154.2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (assisting in giving a bribe personally or through a mediator for voting in favor or against a particular political party or candidate or refusing to participate in elections or voting for one of the political parties or candidates more than once).

Currently, the same court is announcing the decision on the motion filed by Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan’s attorneys for self-recusal of Judge Robert Papoyan.