Arrested Community Leader: Is Political Agenda Behind Charges?

According to human rights defender Ruben Melikyan, Mamikon Aslanyan will remain in custody as the court rejected his petition to be released. Aslanyan has been in prison since December 2021 on charges of expropriating lands in Vanadzor through falsified documents during his tenure. Two of his subordinates, including a lawyer and the chief architect of the community, have also been charged but are currently free.

Despite being unable to return to office as the head of the community due to political forces led by him receiving the most votes in the 2021 elections, Aslanyan believes that the case against him is politically motivated and part of a larger political agenda. He expressed his views on the situation, stating that the timing of his arrest, in relation to the elections and accusations against him, point to a case driven by political interests. Despite legal proceedings against him, Aslanyan maintains that the charges are unfounded and part of a larger political conspiracy.