Ashot Hovsepyan, who is accused on trial under the case of poisoning of the residents of the city of Armavir, has tested positive for COVID-19, as reported Hovsepyan’s attorney Gor Gevorgyan.

“In this stage of the criminal case, consideration of the motion for arrest, as an urgent procedural action, is urgent and immediate. In this case, we are dealing with a force-majeure situation. I can’t imagine how the procedural action will be carried out since the motion for arrest can’t be considered without my client’s attendance. There is also no legal rationale for postponing the court hearing for a termless period because this is one of the procedural actions that is immediate,” the attorney said.

Gevorgyan added that Hovsepyan has been transferred to Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center where he is already isolated and stated that he is also preparing to self-isolate.

Examination of the motion for Hovsepyan’s arrest was postponed this evening since he had started feeling bad and was transferred to a hospital in an ambulance truck.

From August 31 to September 2, Armenia recorded cases of poisoning, including 38 cases of alcohol intoxication in Armavir Province, Kotayk Province and Yerevan, of which 14 cases caused the deaths of citizens.

In relation to the incident, the Armavir Regional Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched a criminal case under the elements of concealment or realization of goods, performing work or providing services not complying with the requirements for safety.