The attorneys of former president of the Union of Volunteer Land Defenders Manvel Grigoryan filed a motion with the court for the self-recusal of Judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan, who is the judge in the case of Manvel Grigoryan and his wife, Nazik Amiryan. Afterwards, the judge left for the consultation room. The attorneys blamed the judge for bias.

The prosecutor declared that the motion for self-recusal is in no way documented and substantiated. “The motion is in no way substantiated because Manvel Grigoryan’s current health condition is not a hindrance to his participation in the trials. His movement can be ensured by others and with the help of equipment,” the prosecutor said.

After the prosecutor’s statement, the judge left for the consultation room and did not let attorney Levon Barseghyan make a statement.

Manvel Grigoryan showed up at court in a wheelchair and is connected to an oxygen device. When Grigoryan entered the courtroom, he was greeted with rounds of applause from his supporters.

Manvel Grigoryan is charged with keeping illegal arms and ammunition, appropriating assets worth over AMD 101,000,000, avoiding to pay taxes worth more than AMD 1,000,000,000, squandering more than AMD 1,000,000,000 from state funds and organizing the theft of assets worth AMD 37,000,000 through extortion.

Nazik Amiryan is charged with illegally keeping ammunition and explosives in the three houses belonging to her, her husband and son, Arman Grigoryan and committing various types of theft, acting in conspiracy with her husband, son, Arman Grigoryan and other persons not identified through investigation.