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The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, presided over by judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan, again denied 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 release the ex-MP on a bail of 5 million drams.

Grigoryan’s lawyers have repeatedly petitioned the court to free their client, claiming his treatment is not effective while in custody, but the court has turned down all the motions.

According to his lawyers, the former lawmaker’s health keeps deteriorating. He has been unable to attend the recent court hearings due to poor health.

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 rearrest Grigoryan, who was hospitalized one month later.