STATEMENT BY AVETIK CHALABYAN’S DEFENSE TEAM
The Unlawful Criminal Case Against Avetik Chalabyan Has Been Referred to Court The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings against public and political figure Avetik Chalabyan has been completed, and the case has been referred to the Court. The first court hearing, during which the issue of the unlawful preventive measure imposed on Avetik Chalabyan will also be examined, will take place on 21 August 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shengavit residence of the Yerevan Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction (24/1 Arshakunyats Avenue, Yerevan), under the presidency of Judge Davit Balayan.
Given that, following the referral of the case to court, the proceedings are no longer subject to the regime of confidentiality applicable to the pre-trial investigation, the defense team considers it necessary to present to the public the key circumstances of the politically motivated persecution being carried out against Avetik Chalabyan.
On 23 June 2026, public criminal prosecution was initiated against Avetik Chalabyan under Points 5 and 6 of Part 2 of Article 43-210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. The essence of the accusation is that, allegedly, in February 2026, Avetik Chalabyan met with representatives from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Armenia and, by persuading and inducing them through an interest in securing the victory of a political force preferred by them in the parliamentary elections of the Republic of Armenia, incited them to act as part of a group by prior agreement, using their official powers and influence to obstruct the free exercise of electoral rights by citizens of the Republic of Armenia entitled to vote in the parliamentary elections held on 7 June 2026.
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According to the accusation, this was to be carried out through the owners of business entities operating in that country, who would allegedly compel their employees to travel to the Republic of Armenia and vote in favor of the Strong Armenia Alliance.
Avetik Chalabyan has rejected the accusation in its entirety, describing it as “Completely false, fabricated”, and “politically motivated”.
Prior to Avetik Chalabyan’s arrest, on 6 June 2026, an audio recording appeared on the anonymously operated Telegram channel, called “Baghramyan 26”, which is known for disseminating pro-government propaganda materials. In the recording, Avetik Chalabyan allegedly speaks in Russian with Russian-speaking individuals about the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia. Neither the source, nor the authenticity of this recording has been identified. Nevertheless, it was precisely this recording, together with a report submitted by a non-governmental organization led by Daniel Ioannisyan, that served as the basis for initiating criminal proceedings and bringing charges against Avetik Chalabyan.
Moreover, during the conversation contained in the recording, the participants do not discuss any such matter. No proposal is made, let alone accepted. Yet the indictment alleges the existence of a clear agreement and actions undertaken in furtherance of that agreement.
Now that the pre-trial investigation concerning Avetik Chalabyan has been completed and the entire case file has been disclosed to the defense; we can state with full responsibility that none of the essential factual allegations contained in the indictment is substantiated by any properly obtained evidence, or even by any improperly obtained evidence.
As for the pre-trial detention imposed on Avetik Chalabyan, he was arrested and remanded in custody on 24 June 2026 (by a different judge), 17 days after the publication of the recording. Throughout that entire period, he did not in any way obstruct the investigation, attempt to abscond, or commit any other unlawful act that could justify the imposition of pre-trial detention as a preventive measure.
The pre-trial detention imposed on Avetik Chalabyan does not serve to ensure the proper conduct of proceedings or compliance with procedural obligations; rather, it constitutes an unlawful form of punishment, which is prohibited under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and under international conventions.
The court justified detention on two grounds: the alleged risk of obstructing the proceedings and the alleged risk of committing a new offense. Yet during the month and a half of detention, not a single procedural or evidentiary action was carried out in the case that Avetik Chalabyan could have obstructed. No witnesses were identified and questioned. The only measures undertaken were those that he could not possibly interfere with, such as ordering expert examinations or sending requests to mobile telecommunications operators.
The defense team will continue to make full and consistent use of all available domestic and international legal echanisms to secure recognition of the unlawful actions committed against Avetik Chalabyan, to prove his innocence, to obtain the prompt revocation of the pre-trial detention imposed upon him and restore his public reputation.
AVETIK CHALABYAN’S DEFENSE TEAM
