A Yerevan court announced Monday the decision on the precautionary measures of former Minister of Defense of Armenia Davit Tonoyan, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Stepan Galstyan, arms supply businessman Davit Galstyan, former Chief of Military Aviation Avetik Muradyan, and suspended Chief of Aviation Armament Artyom Hambaryan.

The court ruled that Davit Tonoyan, Stepan Galstyan, Davit Galstyan, and Avetik Muradyan shall remain in custody, whereas Artyom Hambaryan was released on an AMD 5mn (approx. $10,000) bail.

The defense had motioned to release Davit Tonoyan on personal guarantee. And for the other former high-ranking officials arrested, the defense had motioned to commute their pretrial measure of detention to a measure other than imprisonment—including bail.

These former high-ranking officials are accused in the criminal case into purchasing obsolete missiles for $4 million to the Armenian army. According to the National Security Service, this ammunition was procured at a price almost twice as much as the purchase price of the previous batch of such ammunition.

Davit Tonoyan is charged with large-scale embezzlement, Artak Davtyan—abuse of power and or inaction—Stepan Galstyan—abuse of power, which has caused serious consequences—, and Davit Galstyan—committing fraud.

The former high-ranking officials do not accept the charge and consider it a fake criminal case.