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Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan, an MP from the opposition Hayastan bloc, has condemned the rearrest of opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan ordered by judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan on Wednesday.

Vardevanyan recalled that Martirosyan sentenced then oppositionist Nikol Pashinyan to 7 years in prison back in 2010. Pashinyan and his supporters called the judge “puppet”, “executioner”, “Matso”, etc.

“Years later, this man and his team come to power, and the same "judge” not only remains in office, but also aspires to become the court chairman, thus arresting everyone,” Vardevanyan wrote on Facebook.

The deputy also highlighted that film producer Armen Grigoryan died during his trial presided over by Martirosyan on 15 July.

“Today, the prosecutor dealing with Avetik Chalabyan’s case did not object to another measure of restraint, but the "judge" ordered his arrest,” Vardevanyan stressed.

“In a similar situation, when a person is released from custody, the new Criminal Procedure Code doesn't allow rearrest without new circumstances having emerged, but this was also ignored. In fact, there is no limit to the rampant illegalities committed by the current authorities,” he said.