Armenia Bloc criticizes court decision to  extend  detention of MP  Sargsyan 

ArmInfo. The "Armenia" opposition bloc, led by second  President Robert Kocharyan, has issued a statement sharply  criticizing the court of first instance's decision to keep preventive  measures against National Assembly member Artur Sargsyan unchanged.  The bloc noted in its statement that on July 30, the court once again  rejected defense motions to revoke house arrest for Artur Sargsyan, a  member of parliament for both the 8th and 9th convocations.

"Without any sound legal justification, in flagrant contradiction to  the Constitutional Court's decision of December 7, 2021, the court  has extended the preventive measures applied to Artur Sargsyan for  another month. Thus, the people's elected deputy is deprived of the  opportunity to freely fulfill his constitutional duties. This is a  gross violation not only of the rights of an individual deputy, but  also of the full functioning of the National Assembly, the expression  of will, and the electoral rights of thousands of citizens," the  bloc' statement reads.

In this regard, the "Armenia" bloc declared that under the current  circumstances, Sargsyan has been turned into a political hostage. The  bloc believes that the goal of the political persecution against  Sargsyan is to paralyze his parliamentary activity, silence the  opposition's voice, and pursue ongoing political retaliation.

We will convey our protest and deep concern regarding this  unprecedented violation of the law and constitutional order to our  international partners, expecting an adequate assessment from them,"  the political force added, emphasizing the necessity of releasing all  defendants involved in the high-profile case known as the "18  Righteous." 

Recall, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a broad  anti-church campaign in May 2025, demanding the resignation of  Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. As part of this campaign,  several clergy members were detained. On June 25, 18 opposition  figures and supporters of the "Sacred Struggle" movement, led by the  movement's leader, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, were taken into  custody. They are accused of attempting to "seize power" and  "terrorism." "Recordings of conversations between movement members"  are cited as evidence of their guilt. Sargsyan, also a defendant in  the case, was held in custody from July 9, 2025, until December 1,  2025, after which his preventive measure was replaced by house  arrest, which is periodically extended.