YEREVAN. – The Court of Cassation of Armenia has made a decision in favor of Vardan Geravetyan, who is charged with taking over a police patrol regiment building in capital city Yerevan, his attorney Davit Gyurjyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The Court of Cassation has acknowledged the violation of Vardan Geravetyan’s right to personal liberty and fair trial,” Gyurjyan said. “In essence, confirming that Geravetyan was imprisoned—at least since October 2017 until his being released—on the basis of an unlawful decision.”

The attorney noted that he will discuss this verdict with his client, and that they may demand compensation from the state for the violated right.

Vardan Geravetyan, who participated in the Sasna Tsrer armed group’s 2016 taking over of the aforesaid police patrol regiment building, is charged with taking and holding hostages, carrying weapons, and committing large-scale embezzlement. 

Geravetyan is now in freedom, as his custody was commuted, but the respective court trial is still in progress.

In protest of the then authorities, the Sasna Tsrer armed group had taken over a police patrol regiment building in Yerevan, and held hostages, but later had surrendered in July 2016. Three police officers, however, were killed during the two-week standoff.