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The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, under presiding judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan, fully rejected on Tuesday a defense motion to release Manvel Grigoryan, a retired Armenian army general and a former Republican lawmaker facing various criminal charges, from custody on bail pending the outcome of his trial.

His attorney Levon Baghdasaryan had earlier requested the court to immediately release the ex-MP, citing his ‘extremely’ poor health condition. Meanwhile, prosecutors had opposed to that motion.

Grigoryan was not present at today’s court hearing due to health deterioration.

Speaking to reporters after the court hearing, the lawyer insisted Grigoryan must be released immediately, since the negative dynamics of his illness can lead to an unpredictable situation.

“It is best evidenced by the fact that doctors haven’t allowed Grigoryan to be present at the court hearing,” he said.

Grigoryan is charged with embezzlement of army supplies and illegal procurement and possession of firearms and ammunition in large quantities in a prior agreement with his wife, son and several other individuals, tax evasion and extortion.

He was initially arrested on 19 June last year after being stripped of his parliamentary immunity.

The ex-MP was freed from pre-trial arrest on 21 December on 25 million drams bail – a ruling appealed by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

On 22 January the Yerevan Court of Appeals ruled to re-arrest Grigoryan, who was hospitalized one month later.